A STATE-OF-THE-ART centre designed for bored Harold Hill youths came once step closer to reality following groundbreaking on Monday.

The My Place building – part of Havering Council’s overarching regeneration scheme, Harold Hill Ambitions - will include dance and music space, a recording studio, bike workshop, computer suite, a juice bar and caf� and a cr�che.

The building, by Central Park Leisure Centre, in Gooshays Drive, was funded by a Big Lottery Fund �4m grant and council cash.

It will be a community facility, but focus on the needs of young people, following a consulatation with residents.

Child designers were on site with Cllrs Michael White, leader, and Paul Rochford, cabinet member for children and learning, and representatives from HAVCO and Motorvations.

Kui Sum, 17, who is part of the project, said: “It is great to visit the site where some of our design ideas will become a reality.”

The building will also be Havering’s greenest and one of few in the UK with a zero carbon rating.

Cllr White said: “We want our residents to have the best quality of life possible and giving young people a place to meet their friends and learn new skills will benefit everyone.”

The building is due to be completed in early 2012.