Topic Projects
Date 17 Dec 2024
A special turf-cutting ceremony has taken place to mark the start of works at the new 224 Youth Zone project in Knowle, Bristol.
Galliford Try’s Building West Midlands and South West business unit hosted dignitaries from the stakeholder groups involved, as well as special guests, including England rugby star Ellis Genge, Portishead band member and music producer Geoff Barrow, and award-winning local filmmaker Paul Holbrook.
The £11m facility will allow young people in one of the city’s more deprived wards to access over 20 activities every evening, ranging from sports such as football, boxing and climbing, to creative arts, music, drama and employability training.
The scheme is being developed by award-winning local charity Youth Moves, in partnership with national charity OnSide, and Bristol City Council. The facility will enable Youth Moves, who will run the centre, to support an additional 4,000 young people in Bristol, aged between eight and 19, or up to age 25 for those with additional needs.
Guests heard speeches from Chair of Youth Moves, Heather Frankham, young people from The Young People’s Development Group, who are playing a pivotal role in developing the Youth Zone, Lord Lieutenant of Bristol Peaches Golding, and Hannah Woodhouse, Executive Director of the Children and Education Directorate at Bristol City Council.
Genge, who plays for Bristol Bears, also spoke at the event, saying: “I grew up about 400m away and, as a local lad, this organisation means the world to me. Having a space like this will provide youngsters with opportunity and, who knows, hopefully we find a few more diamonds in the West, and see them playing for Bristol in the future!”
Guy Cowper, Youth Moves Interim CEO, said: “This groundbreaking is fantastic news for the young people in South Bristol. What we can see here is the next phase of so much work by so many people to bring an incredible Youth Zone to Bristol.”
Simon Courtney, Managing Director for Galliford Try Building West Midlands and South West, commented: “It was fantastic to be part of such a high-profile launch to the scheme which demonstrates just how invested the local community is in this youth centre. We look forward to working with all the stakeholders involved to create the high-quality facilities that will deliver for local young people for years to come.”