Express & Star

WATCH: Pupils are showing The Way with 100 days to go until Wolverhampton's youth zone opens

Excitement is building around Wolverhampton as the 100-day countdown begins to the opening of the new youth zone.

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The first 100 members have already been signed up from St Matthias School, formerly Deansfield Community School, ahead of the grand opening on January 16, 2016.

Called The Way, the youth centre will feature a sports hall, performing arts facilities and other activities for the city's young people aged between eight and 19. It will also be open to people with disabilities aged up to 25.

Situated between Little Brickiln Street and the brainchild of Wolves owner Steve Morgan, there will be a total of 80 jobs created at the centre, with roles varying from facilities manager, administration assistant, sports and arts co-ordinators, youth workers, enterprise and employability worker and a communications manager, with 19 of them being full-time.

A further 100 volunteers will also take part in the running and involvement.

One hundred pupils mark the 100 day countdown to the opening of The Way Youth Zone with Invictus Games gold medal winner and volunteer Andy Roberts

One of those volunteers will be none other than Andrew Roberts, who won a gold medal when he represented the British Army at the Invictus Games in wheelchair basketball in September last year.

The 27-year-old, from Perton, said: "I came across The Way a couple of months ago and couldn't wait to get involved.

"This is an amazing thing to be happening in Wolverhampton and something I wish I'd had when I was growing up.

Chelsea Weston is one of a hundred pupils marking the 100 day countdown to the opening of The Way Youth Zone

"I want to be involved as possible and I hope the community will come together with something like this happening in our area."

There will be 20 activities available every night for youngsters, 365 days a year. The state-of-the-art facility will boast a music room, a 3G pitch, enterprise media suite, climbing wall, multi-use four court sports hall, cafe, dance studio, gym and cooking area.

It has been described as something that 'has never been seen in Wolverhampton before' and the City of Wolverhampton College, Marston's and Carvers have all pledged their support by becoming patrons.

Andy Turvey, lead youth worker at The Way, said: "When I was younger I was helped massively by the youth service. I eventually joined the army, but when I came out I worked for seven years as a youth worker, so this has always been a passion to me rather than a job.

"The equipment and facility available to these young people is unbelievable. We're doing our best to create as many opportunities as possible for Wolverhampton youngsters and give them the confidence to excel for future longer term career goals."

The Way Youth Zone has cost £5.5 million to build and is expected to cost £1m a year to run. It will be open to young people who pay £5 a year in membership. Visit the website for upcoming details, www.thewayyouthzone.org.

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