Blackpool’s youth complex takes shape
Preston-based Conlon Construction said the steel frame of a £4m youth centre in Blackpool is almost complete.
Michael Conlon, construction director at Conlon, said: "Although the awful winter weather caused some delays in progress, we are now on target for the project to complete in March 2012. This is an exciting and innovative project for us to work on as the building is such an unusual shape and is bound to turn heads. The finished centre will be stunning and provide invaluable resource for the local area."
The centre is located on land on St Annes Road, next to Palatine School, and aims to provide entertainment and enterprise activities to help local young people.
The complex, known as the Southpoint Youth Hub, will include performance and media space, a recording studio, cafe and shop, IT area, offices, climbing wall, dance studio, gym space, games room and a wildlife and flower area.
The centre will also offer advice services to help young people get back into education or employment and provide support on issues such as teen pregnancy, drugs and alcohol.
Conlon Construction said young people have been involved in designing the interior and overall look of the building, which was designed by Blackpool Council's in-house architects.
Partners on the project include Barnardo's, Blackpool Council's voluntary youth services, Blackpool's community empowerment network Surf, CXL, and Palatine School.
The centre is being funded by the Big Lottery Fund, which distributes around £270m of Government funding from the Department for Children, Schools and Families to develop youth facilities in England through a programme titled Myplace.
Myplace is part of the Government's aiming high strategy, which was announced in July 2007.
The 10-year youth strategy aims at help young people, particularly those in deprived areas, take part in positive activities that will help them develop new skills and raise their aspirations.
Clearly designed by Blackpools in house architects.. Another shed-like atrocity like the Starr Gate Tram shelter. Start engaging with the private sector designers at concept stage guys rather than letting your rather sub-standard in house "design-team" get their crayons out and end up delivering another obtuse piece of architecture that is poorly executed, lacks finesse or any sort of detailing and response to context. I’ll do it for free for gods sake just to avert more of these sheds popping up.
By One
Looks like someone’s noise has been put out of joint… Blackpool’s architects look like they have done an interesting design for the area.
By Boris
I wouldnt consider a floating orange being an interesting design, unless you are a child that likes sticking lego to buildings. Nose out of joint, not at all… sick of crap design in Blackpool.. most definately
By One