BARNSLEY’S multi-million pound youth zone is flying up and keys are set to be handed over to bosses in spring next year - and the chief executive says she can’t wait for youngsters across the town to benefit from the scheme.
The venue - which will include 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 - is being built off Schwäbisch Gmund Way for operator OnSide.
Mandy Carlson, born and bred in Cudworth, has been named as its chief executive - and she’s pleased a site like this will finally be brought to the town.
She told the Chronicle that work is on track and they’re set to receive the keys sometime in May - though it’ll not open fully to the public until January 2026.
She said: “We’re 36 weeks in and we’re really happy with the progress.
“Nearly all the glazing is in and they’re starting to do the internal fix on the electrics.
“Luckily we’ve not had any problems with it so we’re on track for a May/June handover of the keys.
“It’s looking great as well - it’s a real talking point, you can’t miss it.
“With builds of this size things can often change.
“But we’ve got a big fit-out coming once we’ve got the keys and we’ll be looking to bring school, community groups and scouts in so they can try out the systems later next year.
“Then we’re looking at a full opening in January 2026.”
Mandy said that the importance of a venue like this in the town centre cannot be understated.
“It’s hugely important - it’s putting a statement out there that we absolutely want to look after our young people and give them the best possible chance in life,” she added.
“We’re working with partners and it’s part of a bigger piece of work to try and ensure that our young people are supported.
“There is a route that they can go down to get what they need.
“I’m of an age where I can remember youth clubs and it’s certainly not like that.
“When you think we’ve got dance studios, gym, training cafe and boardrooms - there’s lots and lots of things for young people to try out.”
Young people have been helping shape the plans - and Mandy says the feedback from locals has been positive so far, and she’s hoping the venue will help shape the future for the next cohort of youth workers.
She added: “We’ve had some absolutely fantastic feedback.
“The big piece of work the youth development group are doing is the branding and giving it its name.
“That will be announced in January and we’ve had one of the best responses that the network has ever had to that.
“That’s gone out to all the local schools and the community groups.
“There will be an army of volunteers working on this.
“Alongside sector partners in Barnsley who are banging the drum about youth work and getting more youth workers, young people can come in and enjoy the youth zone.
“They can become ambassadors , volunteers - we can support them to get into training.
“And then they can come back and get a job as a youth worker if they want to.
“Whether that’s with us or with someone else in Barnsley.”
The scheme is estimated to cost £9.2m to build, funded by a combination of public and private sector contributions.
The council will pay £4.5m towards construction costs and online fashion giant ASOS - based in Great Houghton - will contribute £1.2m to the project as its first corporate sponsor, with OnSide committing to generating the remaining construction costs.
But they still need to find £1.3m every year to fund the scheme.
She added: “The fundraising is going very well at the moment.
“Our founder patron campaign is in full swing and we’ve got loads of organisations involved in that already.
“They’ve helped raise the £10m to get the building up but now we need to raise £1.3m a year to keep it running.
“If anyone is interested in supporting us then please do get in touch.”
Mandy, who still lives in Barnsley, said it will be a special moment when the youth zone officially opens.
“It’s so fantastic - lots of people have said to me that I’ve got the best job in Barnsley and I absolutely agree,” she said.
“I’ve also got the nerve-wracking job in Barnsley at the moment.
“Heading up something like this has to succeed - and it will succeed.
“I’m just so excited about being able to provide and share this with young people and our partners.
“It will be a community asset and I’m very determined that will be the case.
“I’m putting the work in so when we get those keys it’s up and running at the earliest opportunity.”
