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You are now here: home > news > bulletins > 25 June 2007
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Thousands celebrate launch of King’s Cross activity centre
Thousands flocked to the opening on Saturday 23rd June of One KX, a major new health and arts centre for the people of King’s Cross.
Local people of all ages came down and enjoyed a day of free activities, entertainment, and food and drink, staged both in and outside of the One KX centre – a five-storey building located on the corner of Judd Street and Cromer Street (just south of St Pancras Station).
The highlight was the release into the sky of 1,000 bio-degradable One KX balloons, a symbolic display of the launch of the centre whose mission it is to inspire and offer opportunities for health in mind, body and spirit for the community of King’s Cross.
The balloon launch followed a special announcement of the winners of a contest to find the ‘heroes of King’s Cross’ – as voted by the public. The five heroes were joined on stage by the Mayor of Camden and the Deputy Mayor of London.
The day kicked off at noon with fantastic “street-style” dance displays, performed by members of the YMCAfit professional dance squad.
The street carnival atmosphere continued all afternoon – enhanced by the sunshine which defied every London weather forecast!
Members of the crowd participated in dance and fitness classes which were held in the street, and alongside music and variety performances, there was a street BBQ offering free burgers (and veggie burgers!) and smoothies to every visitor.
A full programme of activities ran throughout the day inside the centre, this included: DJ and music video workshops, face and henna painting, massages, theatre performances, a ‘youth debating forum’, gym trials and health and fitness tests.
Speaking at the event, Nicky Gavron, Deputy Mayor of London, said: “There are simply not enough places like One KX in London, especially in areas with high deprivation. The excellent work that has been done in establishing this centre will make a real and lasting difference to the lives of not only local children and young people, but to the entire community."The One KX centre is an operation of Central YMCA, the UK’s activity for health charity.
As well as Central YMCA, it is funded and supported by: Sport England, Big Lottery, Camden Council, The Mercers’ Company and John Lyon’s Charity.
For all media enquiries, please contact Divya Kohli at: divya@ymca.co.uk or telephone: 020 7343 1867
Notes to editors:
One KX aims to provide inspiration, education and opportunities for health in mind, body and spirit for the community of Kings Cross. The centre is an operation of Central YMCA, the UK’s activity for health charity. Based in central London, Central YMCA is the world’s first YMCA. For further information on Central YMCA,
visit: www.ymca.co.uk
.
