Oldham’s £5m youth zone opens tomorrow
THE £5m Mahdlo Youth Zone is set to be officially unveiled on Friday.
The centre has been built with funding from the Government’s myplace scheme. It will open for seven days a week and will cater for youths whose ages range form eight to 21 years of age (or 25 for people with disabilites and/or learning dificulties).
It will offer 25 activities every evening form sports, arts, media and music activities, as well as guidance and advice on issues such as health and wellbeing, employment and enterprise.
Some 40% of the centre’s running costs will also be provided by Oldham Council. The centre will charge youths an initial £5 membership fee and 50p per visit thereafter to help with running costs.
Mahdlo is one of several new youth centres which have been developed with the suppport of the Onside North West charity. It evolved from the successful Bolton Lads and Girls Club initiative and has received backing from several key regional business figures including Bill Ainscough (Langtree), Martin Ainscough (Ainscough Strategic Land), Bill Holroyd, William Lees-Jones (JW Lees), Chris Oglesby (Bruntwood), Norman Stoller and Ross Warburton (Warburton’s).
Helen Taylor, chief executive at Mahdlo Youth Zone said: “We are absolutely delighted to finally showcase Mahdlo to our supporters following years of hard work and commitment from within the borough.”
Oldham Council leader Cllr Jim McMahon said: “Oldham has the highest proportion of under-25s in the region so it is vitally important that we offer the best facilities available for them to enjoy – and Mahdlo certainly fits the bill.
