YOUNGSTERS across the town now just have days to wait until they get their first taste of the new youth zone in the town centre - and it’s fair to say it’s been worth the wait. The Chronicle were given a tour around the multimillion pound facility recently and there’s plenty to keep youngsters busy. Chief reporter Jack Tolson takes a look at exactly what everyone can expect ahead of the opening date.
OnSide, the charity behind the newly-named Base71 on Schwabisch Gmund Way, will open the venue - which includes a four-court sports hall, a rooftop 3G outdoor kick-pitch, gym, boxing and martial arts room, a recording studio, dance studio, sensory room and mentoring kitchen - on January 17.
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.
For the past few years, everyone travelling around the train station and even the town centre will have seen the impressive structure going up.
It now towers over the train station marvellously but inside it’s even better.
For far too long there’s been very little for youngsters in this town to do.
Yes, there’s skate parks already and even youth clubs but nothing on this scale - and it’s now right here in the town centre.
There’s something for everyone.
Whether you’re sports-mad and want to play football or have a go at rock climbing or if you’re more arty and want to try and record your own songs - it’s the perfect place.
It’s an impressive thing to bring to the town and I’m sure it’s one that’ll pay off.
Those behind the scenes have been working tirelessly to ensure it’s ready for action next month.
They deserve all the credit in the world and walking around the facility you get the sense that they’re hugely invested not only in the youth zone, but also those young people who it will benefit.
It’s going to be something the town can be proud of - and we should all get behind it.
Everyone who’s been to see it has said the same - whether it’s a councillor, MP or even boxer Callum Simpson - they all know how important this will be.
Mandy Carlson, chief executive, has been influential in getting sponsors on board and she’s excited to see it open to the public in the near future.
She said: “We are so grateful to Barnsley Council, ASOS, OnSide and all our stakeholders who have worked with us to get to this incredible milestone of announcing our opening date.
“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.”
And Barnsley Council has certainly played their part, too.
Coun Ashley Peace, cabinet spokesperson for children’s services, said: “We’re excited for the opening of the Base71 Youth Zone in January, and we can’t wait for children and young people across our borough to have a new state-of-the-art space to socialise, develop new skills, and access a range of fantastic facilities and activities.
“As part of our Great Childhoods Ambition, we’re really pleased to be covering the £5 annual membership fee for the first year for all eligible young people aged eight to 18 in Barnsley.
“f you haven’t signed up yet, please do visit base71youthzone.org and make the most of this offer.
“This is an exciting time for our borough, and I look forward to celebrating this fantastic new chapter for Barnsley’s young people.”
To celebrate the opening, the Base71 team is planning a family fun day, giving young people and families the chance to explore the building, try activities and meet the youth workers who will be supporting them year-round
