A TOPPING out ceremony has been held to mark the highest point of a brand new youth hub development.

The former White Lion Youth Centre, in White Lion Street, Islington, is in the final stages of a �3.1 million investment that is transforming it into a state-of-the-art building for local young people.

When it opens in September, the hub will offer a wide range of services and activities, with an emphasis on healthy living. A high-tech gym will be built alongside studios for dance and exercise classes including yoga and pilates.

The roof of the building will be transformed into a food growing area, giving young people the opportunity to grow and sell produce.

In addition to the health and wellbeing facilities, a range of other services including sexual health advice, counselling, internet access and careers advice will also be provided.

The topping out ceremony marked the completion of the highest point of the building –

It also provided an opportunity to ask young people at the event to consider what they feel would be an appropriate name for the centre. Former users of the White Lion Centre and young people from local youth groups all came up with suggestions that will be whittled down to a shortlist next month.

Councillor Richard Watts, Islington Council’s executive member for children and young people, said: “Young people are being hit hard by cuts. It is vital that Islington invests in our young people to give them a better chance in life. That’s why we’re investing over �7 million in state-of-the-art youth facilities across the borough.

“This great new building, along with Platform - opening in the north of Islington this summer - will be safe places for young people that offer a wide range of important services and activities all under one roof.”

Islington received �2 million funding for the youth hub in 2009 from the Government’s Co-Location fund. An additional �1.1 million was invested by the council.