Havering’s newest building was officially opened last week.

MP Tim Loughton, the parliamentary under secretary of state for Children and Families officially opend the myplace centre in Gooshays Drive, Harold Hill on Thursday June 21.

Councilor Steven Kelly, Deputy Leader of the Council said: “I am delighted that we have opened this state-of-the-art new centre, what a great thing this is for the community in Harold Hill, as well as our borough as a whole.”

The Minister praised the futuristic building as an ‘iconic facility’ and enjoyed a tour before he officially declared it open, giving him a chance to see the benefits it will provide the local community, and the wider population of Havering.

The greenest building in the borough, myplace has been constructed to the highest environmental standards.

It has natural ventilation, natural day lighting, high insulation levels and solar panels.

All timber used in the construction was sourced from sustainable certified managed forests.

Mr Loughton said: “I congratulate everyone involved in developing this innovative, iconic facility, especially the young people who have been at the heart of the project. It provides an invaluable resource for young people, their parents and the wider community and I expect it to transform the delivery of services for young people locally.”

Built following a consultation with residents when they asked for more for young people to do, myplace is predominantly aimed at young people.

To ensure the building would meet all the needs of the borough’s youth, a passionate group of young people formed their own board and have been involved in every stage of the new building from the very beginning.

They worked closely with the architects and even played a role in choosing the name of the building, along with local residents.

The new building boasts dance and performance space, a recording studio, games room, mycaf�, art room, workshop space and computer suite. It will also provide counselling and health and information services for young people.

A grant of �4million from the Big Lottery Fund made the project possible, along with top up money from the Council and the Veolia Havering Riverside Trust.