ROYALTY graced Bridgwater yesterday as His Royal Highness the Duke of Kent fittingly opened the town’s breathtaking new YMCA facility.

More than 200 guests gathered at the YMCA site near Friarn Avenue to witness HRH officially open the £6.2million Gerald Townsend House for homeless young people and the multi-use George Williams Centre.

He arrived in helicopter and landed on St Matthew’s Field before a guided tour of the new accommodation facilities and viewing what the flagship multi-facility centre has to offer the community.

Bridgwater YMCA president Arthur Leigh said the opening of the centre was a “very proud moment” in front of guests in the gymnasium before HRH the Duke of Kent said the buildings would prove “valuable not only for young people but for the whole community” and unveiled a commemorative stone.

The Homes and Communities Agency invested £2.1million into the Gerald Townsend House project, which was designed by young people, and the building is a BREEAM outstanding environmentally sustainable facility.

A further £100,000 was ploughed into the building by Somerset County Council and £100,000 from lifelong Bridgwater YMCA supporter and active member Gerald Townsend was invested through his legacy.

The George Williams Centre, which boasts a community radio station, conference rooms, office space and a cafe, was made possible thanks to £3.9million myplace funding from the Department for Education, administered by the Big Fund – the non-Lottery funding operation of the Big Lottery Fund.

Bridgwater YMCA chief executive Martin Hodgson said: “The official royal opening of both our developments is a joyful occasion for all the community of Bridgwater.

“So many people have been involved in these projects, from the initial planning and consultation with the young people, the building project team, to our local partners and stakeholders, staff and trustees.

“Today recognises what everyone has achieved at Bridgwater YMCA in the past three years and it is about much more than just new buildings. It’s about the many young lives we will be inspiring and successfully turning around with the new opportunities we can provide here in these facilities for years to come.”

BRIDGWATER YMCA has helped transform the lives of young people for more than a century – and two beneficiaries have told the Mercury how grateful they are to the valuable service.

Ellie May, who presented the Duke of Kent with a gift to mark his visit, is a former resident of the Bridgwater YMCA and is now working in a care home.

She said: “It is amazing – everyone is friendly here and the staff are good with any problems.

“I am grateful for the YMCA’s help; they help you find work and from living here I decided what I wanted to do, and one day I want to come back and work here.

“It’s great the new buildings are getting publicity because it’s good to get rid of the stigma attached to hostels.”

Nathan Parker lives in Gerald Townsend House and said the YMCA help him find employment and have made arrangements to see his young daughter.

He said: “Before I came here, I was a heavy drinker.

“The staff here helped me, they got my liver tested and I have now stopped drinking – they have turned my life around.”

District and town councillor Graham Granter said: “This is the first time I have had a look at the buildings and I am very impressed. The young lads and ladies seem to be settling in very well.”

Town councillor Pat Morley said: “These buildings are clearly being very well used and the facilities on offer are amazing for all ages.

“It gives young people a really good start to their independent living.”