An official opening date for Croydon’s new Legacy Youth Zone has been announced.

The 6.5 million new youth centre in Thornton Heath will open its doors to youngsters from across the borough on September 7.

To mark the 100-day countdown staff and young people gathered at the purpose-built facility off Whitehorse Lane.

The new youth centre will be open every night after school and at the weekends for children aged eight to 19, and up to 25 for young people with disabilities.

After paying a £5 membership fee, youngsters pay just 50p per visit and can take part in as many activities as they want.

Chief executive of the youth centre, Barnabas Shelbourne, said: “We can’t wait to open our doors to young people in Croydon, providing them with a safe space to make their mark, discover their talents and develop their skills.”

Now young people in the borough can sign up for membership. And it won’t be like the youth centres of the past with just a table tennis table and a CD player.

The 25,000 square foot centre will include a fully equipped gym, climbing wall and five-a-side football pitches as well as a music room and recording studio.

Each evening after school there will be at least 20 activities on offer as well as meals for £1.50 in the cafe.

The centre will be run by OnSide, a charity, and will cost about £1.4 a year to run.

Croydon Council contributed £3.25 million to the total £6.5million construction work and will continue to make an annual contribution of £300k.

Councillor Alisa Flemming, cabinet member for children, young people and learning, said: “I’m delighted that our amazing new Legacy Youth Zone will soon be opening its doors to young people from all over the borough, offering them a stunning new space and a wealth of new opportunities and experiences.

“We’re incredibly proud to have invested in this project, and of all the young people who have worked so hard to make it happen – our Choose Your Future campaign is about supporting young people to make positive life choices and Legacy is already doing just that. I can’t wait until it opens.”