DOWNHAM MARKET: Town’s £20,000 youth centre set for opening
A £20,000 project to transform a disused school into a new youth centre for Downham will be unveiled next week.
The facility in Paradise Road will open for the first time on Monday at the start of a week of half-term activities for young people aged between 11 and 19.
And officials hope the programme will prove to be the start of a new, long-running youth project for the town – starting with a competition to name the building.
The building, which once formed part of the Clackclose Primary School, has been leased by Norfolk County Council to the South West Norfolk Youth Opportunities (Swan) project.
Work to restore the building has been funded by the West Norfolk Partnership.
The centre will open for the first time on Monday and will be open every day next week between 10am and 4pm with a host of free activities including football, table tennis, skateboarding, boxing and street dance, plus workshops on subjects including nail art and DJ skills.
And users will also have the chance to enter a competition to name the centre. The winning name will be incorporated into a sign above the door.
Swan Project officials are working with the North Lynn Discovery Centre to put on next week’s activities and hope to establish a weekly youth club at the centre.
Discovery Centre manager Jimmy Yallop said: “We think next week’s programme has something to appeal to just about everybody, and that’s just the start.
“We’re hoping, with young people’s input, we can develop a regular programme of events here.”
Elizabeth Nockolds, West Norfolk Council cabinet member for health and wellbeing, added: “Having a safe place to meet and socialise is really important for local young people.
“It supports their development, enabling them to gain new skills and confidence, as well as have fun.
“The former school was a wasted space, so it is great to see new life breathed into it.
“I hope lots of young people will come along next week and help us to shape this into a place that they really feel belongs to them.”
All of next week’s activities are free and do not need to be booked in advance. Contact Adam Garford on 01553 616853 for more details.
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Weather for King's Lynn
Saturday 18 May 2013
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Temperature: 6 C to 14 C
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