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Tags: Dawn Primarolo | Ed Balls | launch | London | opening | salmon centre  The iconic Salmon Centre in Bermondsey, South London, has recently had its grand opening, becoming the third myplace centre to open its doors. The centre was officially opened by Ed Balls, Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families, along with three other ministers, Dawn Primarolo, Iain Wright and Dawn Butler.
 The opening, as expected was a very lively event, including speeches from the ministers, guided tours and performances from young people at the centre. It marks the completion of an £11m youth facility at the centre that has been helping young people in the area for over 100 years.
Speaking at the launch, Children’s Minister Dawn Primarolo said: “I have seen first hand the wonderful facilities at the Salmon Centre and the impact they have had on the lives of young people. What struck me was the range of activities available to the young people involved with the Salmon Centre – they themselves told me, there really is something for everyone.
“We want every area to have access to state-of-the-art facilities for young people. I hope that future centres can be as successful as the Salmon Centre and I was delighted to be a part of its grand opening.”
Mark Blundell, chief executive of the Salmon Centre was delighted to see what the hard work had amounted to and is now looking forward to the new centre making a difference for young people in the area.
He said: “It was great to have so many young people involved in the opening, and to see how this new facility has become part of their lives. Now the important work begins with developing more activities to take place in this wonderful building.”
Seventeen-year-old Funmi Ohiosumah said: “I enjoyed meeting the ministers and was happy to show them everything we do at Salmon, like sport, music and dance. I also said how important Salmon is to me: it has given me so many opportunities.”
 The Salmon Centre boasts one of the largest range of dedicated youth facilities and floor areas in the UK. It will host a variety of activities and facilities such as a wide range of sports including hockey, badminton and football. There is also a large performing arts studio, rehearsal and music studio, and arts and crafts room. Workshops and training can also take place at the centre with large seminar rooms, individual work spaces, and an IT suite. In addition there is a new large social area, chapel, and both staff and volunteer accommodation.
Known as Salmon, the centre is a Christian-run project that seeks to work with young people of all faiths and none. Project leaders have developed leading practice through investigating and building upon current leading practice in both the UK and in the USA. The Salmon was cited for Best Practice in the government’s 2005 Youth Matters paper and in the 2007 Government Ten-Year Youth Strategy; Aiming High.
See all the pictures from the day in the myplace Photostream.
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