A new youth zone which has been supported by the Steve Morgan Foundation has revealed its new logo at the ground-breaking ceremony to officially mark obtaining the land on which it will be built.

Due to open in 2021, Warrington Youth Zone will provide thousands of young people from the local area with somewhere to go, something to do and someone to talk to, and by doing so transform lives. 

The Steve Morgan Foundation, which has supported several other of the OnSide Youth Zones, is a founder patron of the new facility, providing funding of £25,000 per year for three years.

Jane Harris, Director of Regional Funding with the Foundation, was among the supporters of the new facility present at the ground-breaking ceremony. 

More than 7,700 young people had their say on the logo design, which was developed by the Youth Zone’s Young People’s Development Group, supported by digital agency Carpe Diem.

The group, which is made up of Warrington Youth Club members, will make key decisions in the Youth Zone’s development. They designed two logos before engaging with young people across the town who took part in a voting process. 

Warrington YZ Chief Executive Dave McNicholl said: “This is a historic moment for Warrington Youth Zone as we take possession of the land. 

“I want to thank everyone who is supporting this development through making generous contributions towards our construction and running costs – you are turning a dream into a reality. 

“It’s also fantastic to know that over 7,000 young people are already having their say on their Youth Zone.”

Located centrally, in the Stadium Quarter next to the UTC, the Youth Zone will become home to Warrington Youth Club (est. 1952), an existing well-respected youth charity, who currently operate their main club from smaller facilities on the outskirts of the town, four nights a week. 

The new state-of-the-artYouth Zone will open seven days a week offering over 20 activities at every session; providing a safe and inspiring place for young people to develop new skills, realisetheir talents and achieve their goals. 

Based on the successful OnSideYouth Zones model, Warrington Youth Zone expects to reach over 5,000 young people aged 7-19, and up to 25 for those with additional needs, within 12 months of opening. 

Of the other Youth Zones situated across the country, the Steve Morgan Foundation also made a donation of £75,000 to the Wirral Youth Zone known as the The Hive, based in Birkenhead.

That followed the Foundation being instrumental in setting up The.Way Youth Zone in Wolverhampton whilst Steve was owner of Wolves Football Club, a facility which has gone from strength to strength since its launch in 2016.