£6m Wolverhampton youth zone construction gathering pace

Workers have recently laid the foundations for the youth zone, which will be known as The Way, on land off Worcester Street in the city centre, on the site of the former Scala cinema.

The centre, which is backed by Wolves chairman Steve Morgan, is due for completion in January 2016.

It will be open to thousands of city youngsters and cater for five-a-side football, amateur dramatics, computer technology, music, dancing, basketball, netball and a host of other activities.

Alice Davey, general manager of The Way, said everything is in order and the building will be complete on schedule.

She said: "Now the foundation of the structure for the building is complete, we can look ahead.

"The concrete for the first floor has been cast and the roofing will be put in over the next month.

"The facing brick work is ongoing over the next few months, alongside various other components of the building.

"We are happy to say that everything is going according to plan and we are on track for a January completion."

The centre will become just the second youth club in Wolverhampton, after up to 30 were axed last year by the council due to budget cuts.

It will hold a four-court sports hall, an outdoor recreation area, kitchen and cafe area and a radio booth, as well as martial arts and boxing facilities.

It is expected to cost £1m a year to run and will be open to young people between the ages of eight and 19 who pay £5 a year in membership.

Councillor Val Gibson said: "It is great to see the youth zone is coming together.

"Everyone is looking forward to its completion and its opening in January 2016."

Wolverhampton's young people have recently been designing hoardings to sit on the outer building of The Way with the final designs to be revealed in the coming days.

They gathered earlier this week to design hoardings that fit under three key ideas: 'Pride in Wolverhampton', 'Branding and Values' and the 'Youth Zone offer'.