New £8.6M Youth Zone Opens in Grimsby

An £8.6 million facility dedicated to children and young people has officially opened in Grimsby, marking a significant investment in the community. The Horizon Youth Zone, located at the former West Haven Maltings and Migar House site, provides young individuals aged eight to 19 with access to sports, arts, and social spaces. Its mission, as stated by CEO Lucy Ottewell-Key, is to elevate the aspirations of the youth it serves.

The centre operates as part of the OnSide network, a national charity focused on building youth facilities across the UK. Funding for the project was a collaborative effort, involving North East Lincolnshire Council, local businesses, and charitable donations. Membership for the Youth Zone opened in November, quickly attracting nearly a thousand young people, indicating strong community engagement and demand.

Lord Jason Stockwood, chair of the board, emphasized the importance of providing world-class youth provision, drawing from his own experiences growing up in Grimsby. The facility anticipates welcoming over 4,000 young people within its first year. It offers twenty different activities nightly, ranging from football and climbing to DJ-ing and employability training, with a nominal 50p entry fee alongside a £5 membership.

Young people like eighteen-year-old Jake Tinmurth and Bailey Thomas were involved in the design and development, highlighting the centre's potential to improve confidence and provide crucial support. They expressed that the centre offers a sense of worth and belonging, addressing a perceived lack of activities for young people in the area and aiming to help them look beyond their immediate limits.