Murrayside Community Centre in Ipswich Nacton Road to open

The Murrayside Community Centre, once completed, will be a vibrant space for young people in the area, featuring a dance studio, gym, and a fully equipped boxing area for Ipswich Boxing Club.

Meanwhile, the front of the current building will be converted into a café, with the help of baristas at Coffee Link. 

The centre will also have space for basketball teams and other sports clubs, as well as a hot press for printing on shirts. 

Work on the outer steel frame being done (Image: Shikhar Talwar)

Work is one step closer to completion with the outer steel frame being recently finished.

The Suffolk FA has also announced that the Premier League Kicks programme, funded by the Premier League Charitable Fund, will run weekly sessions at the new facility.

The programme is for young people aged between eight and 18 who are at risk of anti-social behaviour, youth violence, or from high-need areas.

Ipswich Town, along with Ipswich-raised boxer Fabio Wardley, will lead the programme, creating an inclusive and supportive environment for young people.

Ollie Langer, the project lead, said: "Murrayside has been an incredible development opportunity.

The steel frame has been completed (Image: Suffolk FA)

"The support from Concertus and Sean Jeffries has been invaluable, giving me hands-on experience that will benefit future projects.

"Seeing construction in action is completely different from designing on paper - it deepens your understanding of how each element works together.

"As youth trustee for the Suffolk FA and co-chair or the Suffolk FA Youth Council, I'm passionate about creating safe spaces for young people. 

"This project lets me extend that work to directly benefit the local community, which is truly amazing."

The manager, Martin Cherrington, has taken on the centre from Suffolk County Council on a 99-year lease.

He said: "I wanted to give back to the community through this."