Wolves chief Steve Morgan backs £500k Sport England youth zone investment
Wolves owner and property boss Steve Morgan has welcomed £500,000 of investment into a youth zone project in the heart of Wolverhampton.
The £5.5 million scheme is being supported by the Wanderers chief's charity the Morgan Foundation that will see land on Worcester Street in the city centre transformed into the Wolverhampton Youth Zone.
It is due to open in early 2016 and will be called The Way.
It is one of 21 schemes across England to share in over £7.1 million of National Lottery investment.
Mr Morgan, who is the chairman of the project, said: "The investment from Sport England will enable us to reach more young people from the city and get them active in sport. This will be particularly important in helping us attract young people across all communities in Wolverhampton.
"By breaking down barriers that prevent participation, our hope is that we can inspire young people to try activities they would not have had the opportunity to try before."
Sport England say the £500,000 investment will be put towards the construction of the youth zone, which will incorporate a multi-use, 3G outdoor pitch, a four court indoor sports hall, a climbing wall, dance studio, martial arts/boxing room and fully equipped gym.
See also: Queen's 500k for Wolverhampton youth zone
In addition to sports facilities, it will have dedicated space for arts and crafts.
Sport England property director, Charles Johnston, said: "We know people have a better experience of sport when they have good facilities in which to play. This is why we're investing in the Wolverhampton Youth Zone to improve their facilities so they are more appealing young people, and help us to get them developing a lifelong sporting habit."
The plans for the youth zone were given the go-ahead by the city council earlier this year.
Councillor Val Gibson, Wolverhampton City Council's children's chief, said: "This is excellent news and a welcome endorsement by Sport England of Wolverhampton Youth Zone's plans for this new facility.
"We are committed to providing facilities for the young people of Wolverhampton, to regenerating Wolverhampton, increasing prosperity and creating opportunities for all and the development of the youth zone is a key part of our ambitions."
Wolverhampton Youth Zone is a charity, established by Wolverhampton City Council, The Morgan Foundation and the charity OnSide Youth Zones.
