Youth Zone set for move into Warrington Stadium Quarter

Warrington Council’s executive board is expected to approve plans for a £6m Youth Zone to be built within the Stadium Quarter.

The joint venture between the council, national young people’s charity OnSide and Warrington Youth Club will create a 33,000 sq ft facility, to offer affordable activities in sports, arts, music, employability and mentoring to young people aged from eight to 19, or up to 25 for those with a disability, every day of the week.

The council has identified a car park site in the Stadium Quarter regeneration area, next to the University Technical College. The previous proposed location for the Youth Zone, the former Mr Smith’s nightclub and neighbouring Ritz cinema, was destroyed in a fire in 2015.

The funding for the Youth Zone was initially agreed in March 2015 and a £3m contribution was included within the council’s capital programme.

The £3m investment from the council would be used for capital costs only. The support from the council is expected to unlock an additional £3m in private sector match funding and charitable donations.

The executive board will vote on Tuesday 23 May on the investment of the land and capital.

Stephen Reddy, executive director for families and wellbeing, said: “We’re happy to have secured a suitable space for this project which we hope will bring real benefits to the young people of Warrington.

“Research has shown that creating a Youth Zone is beneficial, not only to the young people themselves, but also the wider community. The Youth Zone will give local young people a supportive and exciting place to help them live happier, healthier and more aspirational lives.”