VIDEO: THE official opening of the new Warrington Youth Zone saw more than 1,000 members sign up during an action-packed community fun day.
The charity held a huge community open day and party on Saturday, welcoming over 1,400 people to mark the momentous occasion, which also saw membership fire through the 1,000 member mark.
The day started with a parade from the Town Hall and through the town centre before reaching the Youth Zone. As the sun shone down, the ribbon was cut by Youth Zone volunteer Juan Pujol, Warrington Borough Council Chief Executive Professor Steven Broomhead, Warrington Youth Zone trustee and funder Chris Purslow and 16-year-old member Amy Harding.
Young people and their families were then treated to an action-packed community fun day, with all of the Youth Zone’s activity spaces open – these include a giant climbing wall, music room and recording suite, rooftop 3G pitch, dance studio, gym, four-court sports hall, multimedia room, boxing and martial arts gym, teaching kitchen and more!
The four-hour celebration also included food and live entertainment before it concluded at 3pm and the Youth Zone’s seven-day a-week programme kicked off with its first senior session for young people aged 12 and upwards.
Other senior sessions will be held on Mondays and Wednesdays between 4pm and 9pm and Fridays between 4pm and 10pm. Junior sessions (for young people aged seven to 12) will take place on Tuesdays and Thursdays between 4pm and 8pm and Saturdays between 11am and 3pm.
All sessions are fully inclusive and in addition, on Sundays, the Youth Zone will host a Springboard session between 11am and 3pm, for young people with additional needs and those who feel less confident. These sessions will be slightly quieter than the Junior and Senior sessions. Membership costs £5 per year and young people then pay 50 each visit.
CEO Dave McNicholl said: “It has been the most incredible and emotional day. I want to say a huge thank-you to everyone who joined us for our celebration.
“To have over 1,000 young people signed up as members on day one is incredible. We’re now open to them seven days a week – offering them over 20 activities each time they visit.
“We were also really lucky to be joined by so many of our wonderful funders, including Warrington Borough Council. They have been an integral part of our journey and we can’t thank them enough.”
Amy, a senior club member at the Youth Zone, added: “It was great to be asked to cut the ribbon, it was a brilliant day. Warrington Youth Zone is such a good place for young people, everyone should come and have a look and sign up.”
To sign up as a member or find out more about job and volunteering opportunities, visit www.warringtonyouthzone.org
