Bognor youth wing campaign wins £1.5m cash grant

The success of the battle for the facilities at the new Bognor Regis Community College will mean the current youth rooms will be replaced.

The new youth building will boast world-class facilities developed with young people for young people.

The three-storey complex, named the Phoenix Centre, will give 11 to 19-year-olds the chance to get involved in performing arts, sport and learning how to run a modern radio station.

It is intended to provide a safe and encouraging environment where young people can get advice on training and education options, business enterprise and sexual health.

College former pupil Simon McDougall joined with youth workers to play a leading role in the fight for the new centre after it became apparent it was excluded from the 40m of funding for the new college opening on Westloats Lane in September 2010.

At one stage, it seemed the scores of young people who use the current youth facilities would have nowhere else to go.

Mr McDougall '“ a member of parish, district and county councils '“ said he was delighted with the success of the lottery grant.

"This is great news for the many young people in the town who regularly use the youth wing. It has taken probably two years to get to this stage," he commented.

"This new facility will be of benefit to the community for many years to come."

The grant is being made by the government's Department for Children, Schools and Families' myplace programme, run by the Big Fund arm of the Big Lottery Fund.

West Sussex County Council, who made the bid for the cash, also contributed 124,000.

Cllr Pat Arculus, who is in charge of the council's children and young people's services, said: "I am delighted that such a significant sum is also to be invested in a dedicated youth facility on the site of the new community college which the council is building.

"I would like to congratulate all the young people who campaigned and played an important part in the bidding process. I am sure they will be equally delighted with the result."

Sir Steve Redgrave CBE, myplace champion, said: "All over the country these myplace centres will be hubs for a wide range of exciting, positive and challenging activities '“ whether it is sport, art, culture or simply a place to meet with other like-minded people."

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