A MULTI-MILLION pound hub for the town’s youngsters marked its official opening last weekend - and leaders involved with the project say it will be transformative for those who attend.

Base71, on Schwabisch Gmund Way, had a ribbon-cutting event on Saturday - performed by Barnsley Council leader Sir Steve Houghton and Mayor of Barnsley Dave Leech - before people including MPs Dan Jarvis, Stephanie Peacock and Marie Tidball were invited inside to try out what’s on offer.

It features a climbing wall, sports hall, arts and crafts room, dance studio, music room, recording studio and a gymnasium, alongside catering facilities offering a healthy meal for just £1.

Operating as an independent charity run by qualified youth workers and volunteers seven days a week, Base71 is the 17th youth zone developed by national charity OnSide but Yorkshire’s first.

The building was part-funded by Barnsley Council, with online retailer ASOS - whose warehouse is based in the town - contributing £1.2m towards construction costs, while OnSide footed the rest to get to the £9m target.

Chief executive Mandy Carlson said: “It was an amazing day for Barnsley and our young people - years of hard work culminated in a celebration of youth work as we officially opened our doors.

“It was a real pleasure to see the look of amazement on thousands of families faces as they walked into their new youth zone and saw the facilities and opportunities available to them.

“This is just the start and now the hard work really does begin.

“We have already exceeded our initial membership and visitor targets throughout our soft launch phase, which clearly demonstrates the demand for Base71 within our community.

“We are incredibly grateful to all of our supporters and funders, including Barnsley Council and ASOS.

“Without their commitment, this valuable new asset for the borough would not have been possible.”

Barnsley Council additionally donated £150,000 to fund a year’s free membership for all young people in the borough, who sign up before the end of March 2026 through its ‘Great Childhoods Ambition’ programme.

Membership normally costs £5 per year, with each visit priced at 50p, and more than 4,000 young people have already signed up.

Councillor Ashley Peace, cabinet spokesperson for children’s services, added: “The opening of Base71 is a hugely positive milestone for our borough.

“This fantastic new facility shows a real investment in our children and young people, providing a safe, welcoming and inspiring place where they can build confidence, develop skills and thrive.

“We’re incredibly proud to have worked in partnership to help make Base71 a reality - a place where young people can find encouragement, guidance and opportunities to unlock their potential.

“As part of our Great Childhoods Ambition, we’re covering the £5 annual membership fee for the first year for all eligible young people aged 8 to 18 in Barnsley - please do make the most of this offer and sign up today.”

The youth zone will host junior sessions on Monday and Thursday evenings and Saturday mornings, with senior sessions taking place on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings.

Inclusion sessions will also be available on Sunday mornings.

Vanessa Spence, trustee of the ASOS Foundation, said: “Base71 is a brilliant new space where young people can feel safe, be inspired and find their community.

“Through the ASOS Foundation, we invest in high-impact projects that empower young people and create pathways to economic and social mobility, so we’re proud to have opened a hub where young people across Barnsley have the opportunity to try sport, tech, art and music, and to build confidence for the future.”

Although antisocial behaviour levels in the town centre remain low, Barnsley Interchange - which sits opposite Base71 - has long been an issue for town centre-based police.

However, Superintendent Mark James told the Chronicle that the youth hub’s opening will only be a positive.

“Barnsley’s the best place in South Yorkshire for its partnership working and Base71 shows that again - so many different organisations are involved,” he added.

“Youngsters require things to do and the social interaction that this place will bring cannot be underestimated - it’ll give something that social media cannot, whilst also offering a place for physical and mental activities.

“It’s something the police in Barnsley fully support.”