WORK is under way on a new £73,000 youth centre for Gourock.

The iYouth Zone is due to open in the former Gamble Nursery in King Street on 6 July.

Council bosses have ploughed cash into refurbishing the premises, which formerly served as the town library.

Councillor James McColgan, Inverclyde Council’s young person’s champion, visited the site this week to see how work is progressing.

He said: “This is absolutely needed in Gourock.

“A lot of young people in Gourock go to the iYouth Zone in Greenock and we’re trying to make things more accessible.” A total of £288,000 has been earmarked for running the Port Glasgow and Gourock iYouth Zones for the next two years.

Cllr McColgan said: “More than 400 young people have attended the Port Glasgow zone since it opened in February.

“It’s proved so popular it’s been extended to Friday nights.” The councillor says the Gourock club will give young people a place to socialise and get involved with activities, clubs and training courses.

It will be staffed by trained youth workers.

The new facility will have internet and computer access, arts and crafts, a pool table, cafe and meeting rooms.

It will be run by the council’s community learning development team.

Council education convener Terry Loughran, a Gourock councillor, added: “This will be a valued resource for the young people of Gourock.

“It will give them an opportunity to engage in a variety of leisure activities and learning activities, help with searching for employment and practical IT skills.

“They will also be able to dabble in creative music-making skills working in partnership with The Hub in Gourock.”