YOUNGSTERS from across the town have been getting a taster of Barnsley’s new multi-million pound youth zone - and an official opening date has now been set.

State-of-the-art Base71, based on Schwabisch Gmund Way, is now functional and children from across the borough have been in to try out the facilities on offer.

The venue will include a four-court sports hall, a roof-top 3G outdoor kick-pitch, gym, boxing and martial arts room, a recording studio, dance studio, sensory room and mentoring kitchen.

It has been part-funded by Barnsley Council, with ASOS contributing £1.2m towards building and running costs.

The council has also gifted £150,000 to cover free membership for the first year for every young person in Barnsley.

Each visit will cost just 50p and there are more than 20 activities on offer for youngsters.

The Chronicle received a tour of the impressive facility on Tuesday where it was revealed it will officially open its doors to the public on January 17.

Chief executive Mandy Carlson said: “During the past two months we have welcomed thousands of young people into our building for taster sessions and their response to Base71 has been better than we could have imagined.

“We have already exceeded our membership targets for opening and are very excited about opening our doors to Barnsley’s young people.”