OurPlace
Work starts on Knowsley’s £5m facility for young people
Young people in Knowsley are celebrating as work has started to
build an iconic youth facility in Knowsley.
The work started on the OurPlace youth facility after the
announcement came from Big Lottery Fund that DCSF will provide £5m
of funding for the exciting scheme on Longview Drive, Huyton.
The services, activities and design of the facility have been
requested and shaped by the OurPlace Forum, a borough wide
group of 13-19 year olds who have taken an active role in
developing the project. It will bring the things that
Knowsley’s young people have asked for together, on one site
adjacent to the new Knowsley Leisure and Culture Park.
The OurPlace facility will include a media suite, café, music
and arts space, advice and wellbeing services, an outdoor multi use
games area, and a BMX and skateboard board park.
There will also be the opportunity for the young people to gain
new skills through participation in activities and volunteering to
help run the centre.
Building work will commence on Monday, 29 March 2010, with
completion in Autumn 2011.
Cllr Eddie Connor, Cabinet Member for Leisure, Community and
Culture, said: “Young people in Knowsley have worked very closely
with us to put together a really attractive package of services and
activities. It is fantastic that their hard work is paying
off, and that work has started on site.”
Cllr Graham Wright, Cabinet Member for Children and Family
Services, said: “I’ve been amazed by the ideas, commitment and
determination of the young people leading on this project.
They should be proud of their hard work, and I’m sure that they are
as excited as I am to see the work beginning on site.”
Amy Brown, OurPlace Forum Member, added: “It's an amazing
opportunity for us to create this world class youth facility so we
can pass down the opportunities to future generations.”
Sean Watson, Chair, said: “Too often are the terms youth culture
and inexperience, synonymous. Now is the time for power to the
youth and a new dawn.”
How can I get involved?
If you’re aged between 13 and 19 years and you’d like to help
develop the OurPlace youth facility, then the OurPlace Forum is for
you.
The Forum is a group of young people who meet regularly to
develop the project. To date they have been heavily involved
in working with the architects, engineers and designers to develop
the building but now work is focussing on what facilities and
activities OurPlace will offer.
OurPlace is designed and run by young people for young
people.
To get involved, contact Jenna Young or Hazel Crampton on 0151
443 5337 or email jenna.young@knowsley.gov.uk
or hazel.crampton@knowsley.gov.uk.
Alternatively, if you’re a young person and want to find out
more, enter your contact details in the form below.
Internal view of the OurPlace
centre.
Ariel view of the proposed new
centre.