New youth café takes shape from derelict pavilion

6.14.21pm BST (GMT +0100) Sun 12th Aug 2007

Work is underway on the transformation of a derelict pavilion in Hampton Wick into a youth and community café, venue for young people and a base for the hugely popular skate park.

Richmond Council has teamed up with Richmond Youth Partnership (RYP) to convert the building at King's Field. Under the partnership project RYP will manage the café and provide a qualified youth worker for the site. The renovated pavilion will include an outside seating area and additional room for youth and community use, and bring improved health and safety for skate park users. Young people have played a key role throughout the planning process, joining local residents and prospective users of the pavilion at regular steering group meetings.

Cllr Stephen Knight, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Resources, said: "This is an excellent project which underlines the Council's commitment to improve leisure facilities for the borough's young people. I am delighted that the pavilion, which has been derelict for a number of years, is now being converted into an exciting community facility in an area with limited current provision for young people. Improving services and opportunities for young people is one of the Council's top priorities and this initiative is an excellent example of what can be achieved when we work closely with our partners. RYP has an excellent track record of providing such services for young people in the borough and neighbouring areas."