Derbyshire firm Wildgoose Construction has won contracts worth a
total of £4.3m to build two youth centres.
The MyPlace centres will be built in Bentley and Denaby near
Doncaster for Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council.
The £2.5m centre at Bentley is mainly a youth centre and
learning facility, the £1.8m centre at Denaby will also have
a boxing academy.
Work on both centres is due to start this week and be completed
by May/June next year.
MyPlace is a multi-million pound Government programme designed
to make great places for young people to go.
The centres will also be available for use by the wider
community, to socialise, learn new skills and take part in fun
activities in an exciting and safe environment.
Both centres will provide social and cafe spaces, as well as
dance studios, music practice rooms, clinics, teaching kitchens,
and classrooms.
The Tom Hill Boxing Club at Denaby will provide dedicated
training facilities including a gym and outdoor covered terrace, as
well as a skate park, upgraded games area and outdoor social
spaces.
The facility at Bentley will provide a sports hall, offices and
meeting space that can be used by local organisations and will
benefit from the sports facilities on offer in Bentley Park.
Tim Walker, managing director of Wildgoose Construction, said he
hoped the centres would be a valuable resource for the local
communities.
He said: "We are delighted to be constructing these two MyPlace
centres for Doncaster Council which are being delivered on behalf
of the Department for Education by the Big Lottery Fund.
"These new facilities will replace the current youth centres and
provide a safe, welcoming and innovative environment that will help
young people to socialise, have fun and learn.
"They will also gain vital life skills to help them maximise
their potential and make the most of their lives.
"The My Place funding will deliver 21st century facilities that
provide a setting where young people and local residents of any age
can try a diverse range of stimulating activities.
"The two centres will offer services intended to improve the
health, diet and fitness of young people, while modern meeting
rooms and cafe areas will also be available for local community
use.
"It is always good to see councils investing in their community
and we are pleased that Wildgoose can be a part of this investment
programme."
Councillor Eric Tatton-Kelly, the council's cabinet member for
children, said the MyPlace project would deliver two world class
youth centres.
He said: "This project is about encouraging young people to play
an active role in their communities.
"It is about involving them every step of the way from designing
the centres right through to helping to run the facilities. This
experience and responsibility is going to be invaluable for their
future development."
Craig Wingfield, youth councillor and MyPlace project board
chairman, said he was thrilled that the MyPlace centres were being
built in Doncaster.
He said: "On the road to get a new youth club for the young
people in the Bentley area, I have been to many meetings and places
to help the young people to get ideas to design our new youth
club.
"Now we have got the money for the new youth club I think it
will make a big difference for the young people of Bentley. It will
help young people to come together and make new friends."
For more information about Wildgoose Construction, please visit
their website here: www.wildgooseconstruction.co.uk