Type=image;ImageID=2049;ImageClass=left;ImageTitle=Cllr Peter Bilson receiving planning app from young members;TitleClass=strong;
Type=image;ImageID=1674;ImageClass=left;ImageTitle=An artist's impression of how the Youth Zone could look from School St;TitleClass=strong;
Members of the Youth Zone Development Group, who have been instrumental in shaping the ambitious proposals, presented the planning application to Councillor Peter Bilson, Deputy Leader of Wolverhampton City Council and the Cabinet Member for Economic Regeneration and Prosperity, yesterday (Tuesday 3 September, 2013).
The iconic facility for young people aged between 8 and 19 - and 25 for those with a disability - will be developed on land between School Street, Worcester Street and Little Brickkiln Street and offer a wide range of activities including sport, fitness, dance, arts, music, media and self improvement.
The plans, drawn up by HB Architects, show an impressive two storey building featuring a 4 court sports hall with facilities for indoor tennis, badminton, football, netball and basketball and a separate climbing wall. There will also be a fitness suite with the latest gym equipment and 2 outdoor multi use games areas.
The £6 million centre would also feature an outdoor recreation area, kitchen and café area selling healthy food and drink, a radio booth and multi purpose areas for dance, music, arts and crafts, gaming and DJ-ing, as well as martial arts and boxing facilities.
There would be a Chill Out zone for relaxing, eating, drinking and entertainment and a recreation area with a pool table, small games, table tennis and table football. Meanwhile, quiet rooms would offer mentoring support, counselling, advice and enterprise activities.
The proposals have been drawn up by the Wolverhampton Youth Zone charity, set up by Wolverhampton City Council, The Morgan Foundation and the charity OnSide, and are expected to go before members of Wolverhampton City Council's Planning Committee on Tuesday 5 November, 2013.
Kashmire Hawker, member of the Youth Zone Development Group, said: "Having a Youth Zone in Wolverhampton is something that will bring young people together.
"The Youth Zone will provide young people with facilities which they want, like and most of all respect.
"As a young person and a deputy Youth MP, I can't wait for it to open, and I want to thank all those involved in supporting this project."
Councillor Bilson said: "This is an important development for the young people of Wolverhampton and I am delighted to receive the planning application from the members of the Development Group who have worked so hard to make the Youth Zone a reality.
"Not only will it provide a much needed facility for the young people of our city - offering them a wide range of fantastic activities - it will also help to kick start the development of the Westside area."
Kathryn Morley, the Chief Executive of OnSide, said: "This is a very exciting point in the Wolverhampton Youth Zone project; now the building design work is complete we can turn our attentions to the Youth Zone brand identity and the interior design of the building, both of which will have a big input from the young people of Wolverhampton."
Steve Morgan, Chairman of The Morgan Foundation, said: "This is a milestone moment in the development of this tremendous new facility for the young people of Wolverhampton and the surrounding areas - and it's wonderful to see the young people themselves so actively engaged in the whole process."
Subject to planning permission, it is expected that construction work on the Youth Zone will begin next year with the centre opening for the first time in the latter part of 2015.
- released: Wednesday 4 September, 2013