A new community centre has opened in Old Swan in memory of Joseph Lappin, the 16-year-old Army Cadet who was fatally stabbed in 2010 outside Everton Youth Club.
The Joseph Lappin Centre was opened this month by his mum, Toni, and dad, John, at a celebration attended by Liverpool Lord Mayor, Cllr Sharon Sullivan, and Mayor of Liverpool, Joe Anderson.
Toni told the Liverpool Daily Post: “Joseph knew exactly what he wanted to do, he had it all planned out but sadly never got the chance to do it. They have picked up on that and hopefully other young people in the area will get a chance.”
Old Swan councillor Joanne Calvert told JMU Journalism: “Our vision for the centre is to provide a community hub for everyone. We will have youth activities running every evening for kids of all ages and scheduled dates for pensioners’ tea dances, and there are lots of other exciting events to come.”
A memorial plaque was unveiled on Saturday which will go up in the main hall. There will also be an annual Joseph Lappin Festival in Doric Park, Old Swan with this year’s festival taking place on Sunday 2nd June”
The centre has also been secured a Sport England grant to resurface the football pitch with astro turf which will happen later this year.