Having been saved from demolition in 2022 following a campaign by young people from Ealing Young Champions and their supporters, Ealing Council has confirmed the refurbishment of the Young Adult Centre (YAC) in Southall is on schedule to be completed in November 2024.
The refurbishment costing £1.9m was awarded to G&V Contracts Ltd with works starting in June.
Among the work being done on the YAC is an improved music studio, a training kitchen, a new outdoor gym and a new multi-use games area (MUGA)
A delegation from Ealing Council consisting of leader Councillor Peter Mason along with councillors Josh Blacker and Jasbir Anand recently saw the progress being made.
Councillor Mason said: “We said that we would put young people in control of the future of the Southall Young Adult Centre, and that’s exactly what we’ve done. They have worked alongside architects and designers to reimagine the building, and make it fit for the future.”
Councillor Blacker, cabinet member for a fairer start said: “What is being planned is so exciting but some of the structural improvements will also make this space much more comfortable and usable.”
Councillor Blacker added: “While the external walls and roof have not been replaced, they have been fully insulated to keep the building warm in the colder months but cool in the summer. This makes the building much more sustainable and will make a huge difference to the cost of upkeep of the facility.”
Two years ago, campaigners from Ealing Young Champions together with their supporters lobbied the council and took part in a council meeting to argue the need to keep the YAC.
In September 2022, Ealing Council leader Councillor Peter Mason said: “The young people of Southall came together to make clear that they wanted to keep the YAC where it is and, after our recent engagement and much thinking, we agree.”
Councillor Mason added: “To every young person who has raised their voice on such an important issue, we say: ‘We have listened to your thoughts on the plans for a new youth centre in Southall, we understand your concerns and how important the Southall Young Adult Centre is to you, and we agree should remain where it is.’ Not only that, but we now want to work with you to make the YAC even better, and find a way to put it into your hands permanently, for good.”
Since being notified in 2021 of Ealing Council’s intent to shut down the popular centre for young people, Ealing Young Champions, who are helped by the Young Ealing Foundation, mobilised themselves in person and on social media through the #SaveTheYAC hash tag.
Young Ealing Foundation is a charity which brings together the public, private and voluntary sectors to help and improve the lives of children and young people in Ealing.
A petition to save the young adult centre had over 1,500 signatures and was debated by the Council at their cabinet meeting on 19 October 2021.
Members of Ealing Young Champions and their supporters held a protest outside the Town Hall and gave a passionate speech at the cabinet meeting to tell councillors that they are wrong to consider demolishing it.
Ealing Young Champion Lily Connolly Woods, 18, presented the petition to councillors at the cabinet meeting.
On hearing that Ealing Council will not demolish the YAC, Lily said at the time: “After all of our hard work, I am overjoyed at the decision of the council to keep the YAC open. It is clear that the centre is needed in the community, and I’m glad the young people of Southall get to keep this pillar in the local area”
Elly Heaton, chief executive officer, Young Ealing Foundation previously said: “We are absolutely delighted that Ealing Council have listened to the Ealing Young Champions and have made the decision to keep the Young Adults Centre open for future generations. We are looking forward to working with them going forward to ensure that the Young Adults Centre continues to thrive as a community hub, provide a safe space for young people, and is an asset the community can continue to utilise for the long-term future.”
Dr. Lynne Guyton, chief executive officer of John Lyon’s Charity also said at the time: “For the past 18 months we have been campaigning to save the YAC as a key youth club for the children and young people of Ealing. Having reached out to Ealing Council to help them understand what a critical resource and part of the social fabric the Club is, I am delighted that the Council has decided to keep the YAC open and fully supported. ”
Dr Guyton added: “More than ever before, in the wake of COVID and in the middle of a cost-of-living crisis, youth clubs such as the YAC are a guiding light for many young people bringing together different communities, providing sports activities, clubs and a safe space for those at risk of violence and crime.”
nt than their avaricious need to give up our valuable facility and land to yet more housing development for which there is no support in the community.”
 in Southall is set to be renovated by Ealing Council.){kind=link}