Work on improving the Young Adult Centre (YAC) in Southall moved a step closer last week with the decision to award a contract on the refurbishment.

The contract, valued at almost £1.9million, was awarded to G&V Contracts Ltd.   This means that Ealing Council can now move forward with plans to provide a new internal flexible layout of the building, creating more options for how children, young people and other community groups can use the centre.

Highly valued

Councillor Kamaljit Nagpal, cabinet member for a fairer start said: “It was a real honour to sign-off on this contract.

“The YAC is a highly valued and important asset to the community and contributes so much to young people’s lives in Southall. And the approach we are taking to the refurbishment has been informed by the young people who use it.  I am so pleased that we are ensuring its future in Southall.”

Actively involved

As a part of the redesign process, young people who use the YAC have been actively involved in the discussions and decisions on the lay out of the centre. They have also provided their feedback on the programmes and activities that they would like to be delivered from their centre when it re-opens later this year.

The estimated total spend on the refurbishment is approximately £2.4 million which includes the contract to G&V Contracts Ltd, contingency and costs on fees, and spend on new ICT and gym equipment.

Following consultation with young people and the local community in 2022, the council decided that the YAC in Southall, would stay on the current site and not be relocated. It was agreed in the April 2023 cabinet meeting that it would be renovated to provide services that children, young people and the community want, underpinned by a sustainable financial model.