A new youth centre is planned for Ely in Cardiff with a music studio, gym, sports hall and climbing wall.
The Youth Zone could include a music room with instruments and recording equipment, an all-weather football pitch, and a fully equipped kitchen. Access would cost about 50p a day.
It would be set up by Cardiff council and the charity OnSide, before handing responsibility to a newly created local charity. It’s not yet clear where in Ely it would be built.
There are 14 other Youth Zones already set up by OnSide in England, but the Cardiff one would be the first in Wales. It would be open to young people aged eight to 19 every day.
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Councillor Sarah Merry, cabinet member for education, said: “The Youth Zone concept looks like an exciting opportunity which we’re keen to explore in detail. We already have fantastic youth services in Cardiff, which rightly won praise in a recent Estyn report, but we’re always looking for opportunities to improve and expand provision.”
Benefits to the wider community, according to the council, would include better health, improved school attendance, less crime and anti-social behaviour, and enhanced skills.
The council will bid for funding for the youth centre from Westminster’s levelling up fund and the shared prosperity fund, created to replace EU funding. If this is successful, the construction costs would be split between the council and the OnSide charity.
Cllr Lynda Thorne, cabinet member for housing and communities, said: “The Youth Zones we’ve looked at have been a great success, offering fantastic facilities and activities for young people. They encourage local ownership and a sense of pride and have been seen as a positive force for good in communities.
“I’m looking forward to learning more about the positive impact they are having on communities, and how we can make it work for Cardiff.”
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