Excitement across the borough of Wirral is building as construction work on the new Youth Zone, The Hive, gathers pace with the erection of the steel frame starting this week.
Contractors, H.H. Smith & Sons are working tremendously hard following the successful laying of the Youth Zone foundations. The steel frame, floors and stairs are set to be completed in mid-April before the team will start on fitting the roof with a proposed completion time of September.
Internally, work will commence on the walls, mechanical and electrical installation, ceilings and flooring in line with the construction programme from July onwards, with the skate park expected to start in January next year.
With The Hive’s first Youth Worker, Kevin Burke now appointed and with the likes of John Barnes MBE as well as local businesses all pledging their support to the project The Hive is fast becoming a reality for all young people across Wirral.
Stuart Barnes, General Manager at The Hive – Wirral Youth Zone said: “We are well on track with the development of the Youth Zone. With erection of the steel frame starting this week, people will now be able to physically see the vision starting to become a reality for the young people of Wirral.”
Wirral Borough Council is both a strategic partner and significant funder on the project and Wirral Borough Council Leader Cllr Phil Davies said: “It’s exciting to see the Hive starting to take shape. The facility will play a big part in providing young people from across Wirral with a safe and welcoming environment where they can meet friends, play sport and take part in training and educational activities. It will also help to tackle anti-social behaviour by bringing in young people who might currently feel like there’s nothing for them to do in their neighbourhood.”
The Hive will cost £1million per year to run and this will be secured through a combination of public sector and private sector funding. Over the coming months, 50% of the running costs will be secured through the local business community to help shape the future of the borough’s young people.
Become a Founder Patron of The Hive
Becoming a Founder Patron of The Hive is a chance for the local businesses and philanthropists to create a legacy for the future of Wirral. Their support and endorsement of the project will serve to encourage others to invest in the future of the city’s young people. For more information about how to get involved please contact: Stuart Barnes on 07734 217916 or email thehive@onsideyouthzones.org .
Find out more about being part of our Founder Patron Family by clicking here.
Underpinning the revenue funding from The Hive’s Founder Patrons is capital investment from Bibby Line Group, The Johnson Foundation, Lord Leverhulme’s Charitable Trust, Garfield Weston Foundation, UBS Optimus Foundation, Linbury Trust, The OnSide Foundation, The Queen’s Trust, St James’s Place Foundation, Holroyd Foundation, Wirral Borough Council and Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service. Click here to find out more about our Capital Supporters.
