WHEN HRH the Duke of Gloucester opened the new Maybridge Keystone Centre, he followed in the footsteps of his father, Prince Henry, who opened the original boys' club building in the 1950s.
The £650,000 centre has taken six years to become a reality and has involved a community effort. It replaces the dilapidated boys' club which was literally falling apart.
The Duke unveiled a commemorative plaque on Saturday (July 24) after being given a tour of the new community and youth facility.
The new space boasts a large, multi-use activities hall, a function hall and meeting room, office space, a kitchen and café area which can be hired out.
Councillor Trevor England, chairman of the Maybridge Keystone Club, in Raleigh Way, said: "The centre got bigger and better during the six years it has taken to come to fruition and now it is complete it's a really big boost for the community.
"The royal visit was very important. We chose the Duke of Gloucester to open the new building because his father opened the old building. The Duke is also an architect so he was interested to see what we had done with the new centre."
Three rooms inside the centre have been named after life presidents of the Maybridge Keystone Club – Derek and Doreen Northeast, and June Smith.
After the official opening, the centre hosted a family fun day with a displays from Worthing Thunder, Trixies Mini-Beats and Play Rangers, and music from a samba band.
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