Two long established community facilities are set to get a new home following Croydon Council's decision to release a former school in Tavistock Road for housing.

The Sir Philip Game Centre (SPGC) in Morland Avenue, Addiscombe was one of three boys' clubs founded in the 1940s by the eponymous former Metropolitan Police Commissioner. It is currently the only one still in existence in London but its privately owned premises are in a poor state of repair.

Recognising the contribution the centre makes towards vulnerable young people, the council has been trying to find a long term accommodation solution for some time.

Its proposal, which has been welcomed by the youth club's management committee and ward councillors, is to build a new youth club on the site of the original building. The new premises will also accommodate the 50-year-old Croydon Judo Club which is currently confined to a warehouse on the council-owned Tavistock Road site - formerly occupied by the School Phobics and Non-attenders (SPAN) centre.

Councillor Clive Fraser, cabinet member for economic development and employment, said: "The Sir Philip Game Centre is strongly supported by Croydon Youth Service and local residents are very keen to see the site remain available for use by the youth club and local community.

"With most of the funding coming from the disposal of the former school building in Tavistock Road, not only is the scheme going to incur very little public expense but it will also lead to more housing being built close to the town centre, in line with our long term ambitions."

The council anticipates building work could start in January 2003 and be completed within a year.

November 27, 2001 09:31