A “stand on the land” event took place on the site of what will be the new Horizon Youth Zone located in Grimsby town centre in the former West Haven Maltings and Migar House buildings.
Key supporters including Cornerstone and Founder Patrons, and Horizon Youth Zone board members, were invited onto the construction site to take a look at progress being made including visualising the new sports hall and MUGA pitch which are soon to be erected. Guests were given an update by the property team behind the construction of the Youth Zone including milestones over the coming months.
Representatives from North East Lincolnshire Council, Ørsted, Prax, DFDS, Allied Protek, Francis Arthur Brookes CT and Myenergi were in attendance, as well as Horizon Youth Zone’s new Chief Executive Lucy Ottewell-Key, trustees and other key supporters.
Horizon Youth Zone is being delivered by national charity OnSide, in partnership with North East Lincolnshire Council which is contributing towards the Youth Zone as part of the Greater Grimsby Town Deal. Other key supporters include Historic England, the National Lottery Heritage Fund, Ørsted, St. James’s Place Charitable Foundation, The Youth Investment Fund and private donors.
Expected to open in 2025, the state-of-the-art youth centre will provide thousands of young people with opportunities to engage in activities and access support from skilled youth workers, helping them to develop their skills and reach their full potential. It will be open to young people aged between eight and 19 (up to 25 for those with additional needs), seven days a week, for just 50p a visit. Members will have access to an indoor climbing wall, four court sports hall, training kitchen, music room with a recording studio, fully equipped gym, dance and drama studio, 3G kick pitch, arts and crafts room, enterprise and employability suite.
Horizon Youth Zone is an independent charity with a private-sector led board, and once opened will be part of the OnSide Network of 14 Youth Zones nationwide, supporting over 50,000 young people annually.
Lucy Ottewell-Key, Horizon youth Zone Chief Executive, said: “This is a really special day for everyone involved in Horizon Youth Zone as it’s an opportunity for supporters and trustees to see firsthand the progress that has been made on site. I want to thank everyone that has been part of Horizon’s journey so far, because of your support we will soon be able to transform the lives thousands of young people living in Grimsby and North East Lincolnshire. If you would like to be part of this inspiring charity, please do reach out as we are keen to work with anyone who is passionate about providing our young people with the opportunities and support they need to flourish.”
Cllr Philip Jackson, the Leader of North East Lincolnshire Council, said: “What we will have in this new Horizon Youth Zone is a fantastic venue for the young people of our borough. It will offer opportunity for sport, for social events, for learning and to give our adults of tomorrow inspiration, and encouragement for their futures. It also offers a fantastic new use for these historic and prominent buildings within our town centre. We are delighted to be a part of it, and I would like to thank all the other partners involved for their support.”
Construction of Horizon Youth Zone is well underway and contractors Hobson and Porter continue making good progress against plans for the build. Behind the scenes, the Youth Zone team is starting to take shape and a number of new roles will be going live as we move closer to opening in summer 2025. Funds continue to be raised for the running costs of the Youth Zone and anyone who is interested in supporting.
For further information, please visit: https://www.horizonyouthzone.org/support-us/