The long-awaited £6.3million Wigan Youth Zone finally opens tomorrow, as the borough prepares to mark the launch with a massive party.
A state-of-the-art facility, near Mesnes Park in the town centre, the Youth Zone was the brainchild of Wigan Athletic chairman Dave Whelan and fellow businessmen Martin and Bill Ainscough.
And now their plans have finally come to fruition, the opening will be marked by a brass band, the FA Cup’s appearance and a host of free, taster activities.
General Manager John Harker said: “Wigan Youth Zone has been a long time in the making and we are delighted the day has finally arrived when we can open the doors to all young people from across the borough.
“We want it to be a place where young people can have fun, try something new and achieve great things.”
The free event kicks off at 1pm with inflatable assault courses, a paintball range, football and a bouncy castle all on the itinerary.
Children can also enter a balloon race, with the balloon returned from the furthest point away winning a year’s free entry to the Youth Zone.
Fans can have photos with the FA Cup from 2pm before a parade led by the Ainscoughs and Whelan on a horse-drawn carriage departs an hour later.
Pemberton Brass Band will also feature in the parade, which will finish in Market Place before returning to the Youth Zone at 4pm for an official ribbon cutting.
Lucky Bedford College pupils from Leigh have already a sneak peek at the facilities and they believe the centre will become very popular with Wigan’s youngsters.
James Partington, 13, said: “We’ve heard and read a lot about it and now it’s great to be here and see it for real.
“I think it’s going to be really popular with children and young people in Wigan.”
Fellow pupil James Smith, 13, added “I’ve never seen anything like it before and we’ve had a really good time trying everything that is on offer.”
Saturday’s festivities will continue late into the night, with a professional BMX demonstration, a Battle of the Bands competition and a fireworks display also on the menu.
Forms for new member registration will be available in Mesnes Park and later at Wigan Youth Zone where the annual £5 membership can be paid.
The facility will open seven days a week from 4pm to 10pm for young people aged 12–19 (or 25 for young people with learning difficulties or disabilities).
In addition, the centre will be open exclusively to juniors aged 8–11 from 10–2pm on Saturday and Sunday.
For more information visit http://www.wiganyz.org
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