Vision on for youth centre
HUNDREDS of teenagers enjoyed a showcase of sport and dance as a new £4.4 million youth centre opened its doors.
Staff at Chesterton Vision Centre ran badminton sessions, a dodgeball tournament and dance performances.
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OPENING DAY: From left, Martin Wynne, Liam Grant and Donna Finer. Picture: Phil Radcliffe
Centre manager Donna Finer said: "This is what it is all about, getting people through the doors.
"We want to engage the young people in activities and give them an opportunity to try new things."
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The Albert Street centre replaced an outdated school building in 2011 after volunteers secured Government cash.
They were awarded nearly £4.4 million in 2009 under the Myplace scheme, administered by the Big Lottery Fund.
University student Liam Grant, aged 20, helped to launch the bid after helping out at the previous centre.
The 20-year-old from Park Court, Chesterton, said: "The last building was nice but it was very basic.
"I got involved with a young persons' panel to put forward ideas of what we would want to spend the funding on and that went back to the council.
"I am ecstatic with how it has turned out because there is always doubt as to whether you will get the money to make things happen.
"It has been great. The whole community has come together to get involved with the centre."
Run over three floors, the Staffordshire County Council centre offers a gym, sports hall, entertainment lounge and dance studio.
Since June 2012 it has been under a trial period to train the 15 members of staff and test facilities. But already it has proved popular with teens.
The manager said: "We had 276 youngsters attend one night and we usually get up to 115.
"We also run an anti-social prevention project, in partnership with the police and Aspire Housing, on Friday nights to get kids off the streets."
A time capsule was buried in the lobby of the building after it was completed, made up of photographs and records of memories from residents.
County council cabinet member Mike Lawrence said: "This is a remarkable building, when you consider the size of the site it is packed with facilities.
"This is a centre that was created by young people – and it was through their determination to get the adults and professionals on board that it has worked."
Mum-of-two Vicky Cuncliffe, aged 31, of Waterhayes, attended the weekend opening. The foster parent said: "The facilities are fantastic. I am a big believer in children having a sense of community.
"There should be more projects like this to bring children together.
5 Comments
by Focus386
Monday, March 11 2013, 8:34PM
“Ok Mr Youthclub as you're so very informed on the in!s and out's of this building. Why then are there double glass doors opening onto London rd?
Why do all the kids when waiting for the doors to open, do they stand by the double doors on London road?
Why at closing time do all the kids come out of the double doors opening onto London road?
Why do all the well informed parents park on the double yellow lines and footpaths on London road, if the entrance and exit is at the back?
Sooner it closes the better”
by Snaggletoooth
Monday, March 11 2013, 6:57PM
“Let's see how long this carbuncle stays open when the lottery money's gone.”
by youthclub
Monday, March 11 2013, 2:34PM
“For starters get your facts right the main entrance is on the back of the youth club on park court (not London road). So before you comment come and look at the facility and how it is run. Then criticise to the right people not the paper.”
by BucknallMel
Monday, March 11 2013, 12:44PM
“OK, it isn't pretty. And I don't know anything about the road safety risk. But I do know that all we in Stoke ever get is news of yet more council-owned leisure facilities closing down, leaving kids and adults with nowhere affordable to go to locally for recreation. I'd be delighted if something like this appeared somewhere near me.”
by Focus386
Monday, March 11 2013, 8:12AM
“By far the most ugly building in the village of Chesterton. It's totally out of place with the surrounding buildings. The old school building was a lovely red brick building and its knocked down and replaced with that.
On a matter of safety who in their right mind designed a building for the main use of children with its main entrance and exit straight out onto the busiest road in the village. I'm waiting for the unhappy day when the news breaks of a youngster getting hurt outside this building. Some might remember not so many years ago when a group of children under the direction of a teacher were involved in a nasty accident in exactly the same spot.”