After a seven-month renovation, the Southall Young Adult Centre (YAC) has finally reopened its doors to the public, boasting a brand-new £2 million makeover courtesy of Ealing Council.

The long-awaited reopening took place on Tuesday 28 January 2025, and the venue welcomed young people eager to explore the upgraded facilities

Who knew about the re-opening or was invited to it?

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The revamped YAC, situated on Park View Road, Southall, offers an array of activities to cater to diverse interests.

The centrepiece is a state-of-the-art multi-use games area (MUGA), part-funded by the Football Foundation's PlayZone initiative, making Southall one of 240 beneficiaries nationwide.

Visitors can indulge in sports like football, basketball, and cricket, or relax in the new indoor gym, sports court, gaming area, or kitchen.

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Young People's Feedback: A New Home

Local teenagers, such as Idrees (18), Rubi (12), and Christon (25), shared their enthusiasm for the YAC's revamp. "It's like a new home," exclaimed Idrees, a regular visitor for the past five years.

Rubi expressed enthusiasm for the opportunities ahead: "I can’t wait to play on the football pitch and finally learn the drums—I’ve wanted to for so long!"

Christon praised the revamped space, stating, "There's so much more space, the old building felt tiny in comparison."

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To enhance accessibility, the centre now features improved disabled access, ensuring that community groups can also benefit from the facilities.

During the renovation, young people made use of a temporary setup at Dormers Hub in Southall.

Commitment to Community

Ealing Council Leader Peter Mason celebrated the reopening, stating: "The reopening of the Young Adult Centre marks a significant milestone for our young people. This space has been shaped by their voices, ideas and aspirations, ensuring it truly reflects their needs. A lot of planning has gone into this, we have been determined to get it right."

"The YAC will provide countless opportunities for our young people to build friendships, develop new skills and explore their passions in a safe and welcoming environment. It’s a shining example of what we can achieve together, and I am proud of the vision and hard work that has made it a reality."

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Councillor Josh Blacker, the council’s cabinet member for a fairer start, echoed this sentiment: "Whether it’s sports, IT or music – the new and improved YAC has it. It’s wonderful to see these amazing facilities put to good use. What a treat for young people in Southall!"

A Nation-Wide Initiative

Football Foundation Chief Executive Robert Sullivan added: "I hope this fantastic PlayZone will be a great source of pride for the local community in Ealing, who helped shape and deliver the project, without whom it simply wouldn’t exist."

"Thanks to the funding we receive from our partners – the Premier League, The FA and government, the Football Foundation will be delivering over 240 PlayZones like this one across the country."

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Community Invitation

Community organisations were invited to visit the newly improved YAC on Thursday 30 January 2025 from 1pm to 7pm to learn more about the new facilities and how to book the space. This information was only published the day before the event.

One resident stated "It is disconcerting that there has been no communication from my children's high school and they arrived home knowing nothing about the re-opening” and asked for the days and opening times for young people and detail on how community groups can book the YAC outside of those times."

Residents are informed that YAC opening times are now listed on the Young Ealing website but you will still have to search for it. "Any reason why we need to hunt around the website?"

The information can be found here

The revamped Southall YAC is set to become a vibrant hub, offering countless opportunities for young people to build friendships, develop new skills, and explore their passions in a safe and welcoming environment.