A youth club in Deptford has marked the start of a £1.2 million refurbishment, which will see the building of a new football pitch and games area.
The 'spade in the ground' event at Riverside Youth Club took place on January 17, heralding the start of building work aimed at redeveloping and expanding the facility.
The project, delivered by Lewisham Council, Youth First and Millwall Community Trust, was made possible by a generous £745,000 grant from the Premier League, The FA and Government’s Football Foundation.
A public campaign headed by Youth First also contributed to the project, with significant private donations and local trusts helping to secure the award.
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The plan is to build state-of-the-art facilities, including a 3G football pitch, an indoor games room, gym, kitchen, and flexible learning spaces.
These transformations aim to serve the local young people and the wider community, transforming Riverside into a vibrant hub.
Construction work will include extensive developments such as internal refurbishments, roofing, and the creation of outdoor spaces.
Prep work started in October last year, and the project is set to fully open its doors in autumn 2024.
Councillor Chris Barnham, Lewisham Council’s Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, said: "This is a major milestone on our journey to provide a first-rate youth club for local children and young people."
He underlined the anticipation shared with the local community, calling the initiative an "exciting new facility" with potential to significantly benefit young people.
Councillor Barnham added: "It’s great to see progress being made and I look forward to coming back for the grand opening later this year."
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Emphasising the need for such a facility in supporting young people's wellbeing, Val Davison, Chair of Youth First CIO, said: "This is the day we have all been waiting for – when the redevelopment of Riverside Youth Club begins in earnest to recreate a vibrant environment that will support the aspirations, wellbeing and creativity of young people to thrive and develop.
"While the construction work takes place over the next few months we will be working closely with local young people to co-produce an exciting and varied programme of activities that reflect what they would like to see, and deserve to have, in the ‘new’ Riverside when it reopens in the autumn."
Sean Daly, CEO of Millwall Community Trust, added: "The Riverside Youth Club development will really make an impact in the local community, creating a base for local organisations to offer opportunities for residents around physical activity, sport, education and employment.
"We are honoured to be part of this great development for the borough and its local residents."
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