Type=image;ImageID=7328;ImageClass=left;ImageTitle=The construction site of Wolverhampton's new Youth Zone;TitleClass=strong;
Type=image;ImageID=7329;ImageClass=left;ImageTitle=At The Way construction site;TitleClass=strong;
They saw for themselves the site, and also met members of the Youth Zone's Young People's Development Group who have helped shape the facility.
They were taken on a tour of the site, between Worcester Street and School Street, and saw for themselves the significant progress that has taken place on The Way, as the superstructure nears completion and the all-weather 3G pitch is prepared for installation in late August.
Internally, the building is progressing equally well, with the sports hall equipment fit out having started on site. The feature glazing to the climbing wall looks impressive, whilst decoration has started in each room within the building with electrical work also underway.
Nicola Brentnall, Director at The Queen's Trust, said: "We had a great day, meeting the team from The Way and particularly the young people from the Development Group who shared with us all they have done on the project and what The Way will mean for Wolverhampton. We are delighted to have the opportunity to support this project and to bring the Youth Zone offer here.
"We are funding Youth Zones in Wirral, Preston and in London and have seen how brilliantly they help young people to succeed."
Malcolm Cooper-Smith, Trustee of St James's Place Foundation, added: "We were all taken back by the scale and scope of the facility which will benefit young people of Wolverhampton. Construction work is gathering pace and before we all know it the Youth Zone will be open. We cannot wait to see those doors open and hundreds of young people have their lives changed for the better."
The Queen's Trust and St James's Place Foundation are part of a group of 9 capital supporters, including the City of Wolverhampton Council, the Morgan Foundation, Sport England and The Football Foundation who have united to back the Youth Zone. The City of Wolverhampton Council is investing more than £3 million in The Way - towards both the development and running costs - with the overall project costing £5.5 million.
That backing continues as The Way Youth Zone has also announced that B E Wedge Holdings Ltd and Keltruck are the latest capital supporters to come on board.
The Way General Manager Alice Davey said: "A huge thank you to all our capital supporters who attended the site yesterday. It was fantastic to see everyone uniting for the single cause of helping young people. Their support is vital and we are also delighted that Wedge Galvanizing and Keltruck have also come aboard to ensure our dream becomes a reality."
The Way is a purpose built facility for the city's young people aged 8t to 19, and up to 25 with disabilities.
It is expected to open in early 2016 and will offer a multitude of activities for young people, such as sport, fitness, dance, arts, music, media, enterprise and wellbeing and self improvement. The state of the art facility will boast a high spec music room, a 3G pitch, enterprise media suite, climbing wall, multi use 4 court sports hall, cafe, dance studio, gym, cooking area, general recreation area and much more.
Caption: from left: Alice Davey (The Way General Manager), Nicola Brentnall (Director, at The Queen's Trust), Malcolm Cooper-Smith (Trustee of St James's Place Foundation), Kashmire Hawker and Ervis Cera (Members of The Way's young people's development group), Alex Pearce (St James's Place Foundation Committee Representative for Solihull) and Kathryn Morley (OnSide Youth Zones CEO)
- released: Wednesday 29 July, 2015