New Oswestry youth facility nearing completion
Shropshire Council has received the keys to Oswestry’s new youth centre by the contractors – and the facility is expected to open to the public in October.
Don Ward, director of Interclass which built the centre, handed the keys to Councillor Vince Hunt, who has supported the project from start to finish.
During September, staff from Shropshire Council’s positive activities, information advice and guidance and targeted youth support teams will move into the building. Furniture and equipment will be delivered and placed ready for the centre to open for public use in October.
The project was made possible by Government grants and has replaced the old Centre North West facility in Oak Street.
The building, known as The Centre, is energy-efficient and has eco credentials including biomass heating, rain water harvesting, solar heating and heat exchangers. The building itself is extremely well insulated which will reduce heating costs and lower the council’s carbon footprint.
The Centre has a recording studio and music room which is hoped to be run by a social enterprise formed by local musicians. There is a cafe area, commercial standard kitchen, art room, interview and meeting rooms, training room, large hall for skateboarding, blades and BMX ,as well as more traditional activities like dance, drama and music.
There is also an upstairs terraced area that will be used for barbecues and growing produce.
Young people from Oswestry, supported by youth workers, have been fully involved in the project, including helping with the design, plans for how it will be used, the colours, furniture and equipment. A group has been meeting weekly at Marches School to discuss issues and make decisions on matters concerning the building.
Councillor Vince Hunt, Shropshire councillor for Oswestry West, who has been heavily involved in the project, said:
“We have worked closely with the community to ensure that the young people of Oswestry and the surrounding area will have a fantastic new centre which will give them a place of their own, the opportunity to take part in a range of activities and benefit from important information, advice and guidance. Local councillors have fully supported the project and young people have been at the heart of the plans, working extremely hard on this scheme. I am so pleased that they will be able to see their ideas come to life.”
Councillor Karen Burgoyne, Shropshire Council deputy Cabinet member, said:
“Everyone involved has shown immense commitment and enthusiasm; they should all be extremely proud of the part they have played in this exciting, ground-breaking project.”
Oswestry town mayor, Councillor Martin Bennett, added:
“I am pleased that the new centre is making such good progress, and the town council, which has leased the site to Shropshire Council, and the young people of Oswestry who will be using it, are eagerly awaiting the opening.”
