New Southwick youth centre to rise from the ashes

More than 639,000-worth of impr-ovements will be made to Quayside Youth Centre, Southwick.

Work will start in a few weeks and is expected to be finished by Novem-ber.

Insurers paid out 505,000 and West Sussex County Council topped up the amount to cover extra redevelopment costs.

David Chilton, senior manager of the council's youth service, said: "This is absolutely essential for our work in that area.

"The old centre was always extremely popular and had lots of young people through its doors.

"It dealt with a number of social issues in Southwick and Shoreham. It was one of our major centres. We will be delighted when it is open again.

"It's great to see the centre getting underway at last. We've waited a long time and there have been a few issues along the way, but it will be worth it."

The original building, in Upper Kingston Lane, was of a poor standard, with several extensions, and was on a former rubbish site.

Soil tests have been carried out to make sure the land is safe to develop again.

Sean Stones has recently been appointed team leader of the youth service for Adur and will work from the centre. Quayside was gutted in a blaze in March, 2005, which was finally brought under control by 40 firefighters.

It was started by an electrical fault in the kitchen, possibly caused by rats or mice chewing through wires.

Recreation rooms, offices and a sports hall were badly damaged by smoke.

The centre had just been redecorated and had a new roof and new toilets when the fire struck.

It was used by the youth service for work among 11 to 25-year-olds and hosted a number of clubs, including a martial arts group and a playgroup.

Children and teenagers have been using temporary, alternative accommodation since.