Sponsored by
Young people are our future: Now the Orange Box project aims to put them centre stage
PLANS are under way to create a £4.8 million world-class facility for young people in Halifax town centre.
The MyPlace Partnership, led by Action Halifax and Square Chapel, hope their new project – The OrangeBox – will be at the heart of the town's renaissance.
Funding is being sought from the Department for Children, Schools and Families, a Government scheme run by the Big Lottery Fund.
If successful, The OrangeBox, named because the building used to be a fruit and vegetable store, will be based at Thomas Street, between the Piece Hall and Square Chapel, and at Spring Hall, Halifax.
Rob Billson, Action Halifax urban programme manager, said: "Everyone is working together on this vision. And it offers a real chance for young people to make a difference to their lives and to see a catalyst for change in Calderdale.
"We really want people to feel the energy and buzz about this project."
It could be open by early 2011 and is expected to attract about 5,000 youngsters a year.
Designed by Hebden Bridge-based company Studio Baad, it will offer arts, sports, media and leisure activities created and led by 13 to 19-year-olds.
Facilities at Thomas Street will include a gym, lounge and games room, drama and dance studio, counselling areas, digital arts and recording studios, cooking and laundry facilities, seminar and meeting room, rooftop skate park and garden.
There will be a strong link to Spring Hall where they will be building changing rooms.
It is hoped five businesses a year will be created by young people, with empty units at the Piece Hall used to trade. To help make this a reality there will be training resources and mentoring support.
David McQuillan, outreach arts office for Square Chapel, is also co-ordinating the project.
He said the centre's priorities will include reducing teenage pregnancies, providing a safe place for youngsters, tackling sex issues, improving educational attainment and preventing youth crime.
He also said: "The OrangeBox will be world class in terms of location, its unique design, range of activities and the manner of its delivery. It will be at the heart of the renaissance of the centre of Halifax and will be a physical reflection of a greater inclusion of, and changing attitude to young people.
More than 1,000 youngsters were consulted about OrangeBox in 2005 during the Young People First consultation.
Their views formed the basis for a MyPlace questionnaire, completed by 250 people.
A Calderdale MyPlace Youth Board was then appointed and will remain key to the project's development.
Community and voluntary groups have been quizzed and area forums will also be consulted.
Calder High School pupil, Katie Pough, 15, of Hebden Bridge, is one of 10 members of the MyPlace Youth Board.
She said: "We have been talking about how we want it to look, how to use the money and how to run it.
"I am excited about all of it, but I think the roof-top skate park will be particularly popular."
She said there was also a good chance they would change the name.
Carol Stone, principal officer for young people's services at Calderdale Council, said: "If this project is successful, it will mean that organisations and young people can work together to provide a great range of cultural and sporting opportunities, as well as advice and support facilities."
Councillor Ian Cooper, cabinet member for Community Services, also said: "It will bring vitality and renewed sense of community to the area. It would be a very exciting move for the Piece Hall, creating a real community hub. A real coup for Calderdale."
Plans for The OrangeBox can be seen at Square Chapel from 6pm on January 21 where further consultation will take place.
Comment
It will be at the heart of the renaissance of the centre of Halifax and will be a physical reflection of a greater inclusion of, and changing attitude to young people.
More than 1,000 youngsters were consulted about OrangeBox in 2005 during the Young People First consultation.
Their views formed the basis for a MyPlace questionnaire, completed by 250 people.
A Calderdale MyPlace Youth Board was then appointed and will remain key to the project’s development.
Community and voluntary groups have been quizzed and area forums will also be consulted.
Calder High School pupil, Katie Pough, 15, of Hebden Bridge, is one of 10 members of the MyPlace Youth Board.
She said: “We have been talking about how we want it to look, how to use the money and how to run it.
“I am excited about all of it, but I think the roof-top skate park will be particularly popular.”
She said there was also a good chance they would change the name.
Carol Stone, principal officer for young people’s services at Calderdale Council, said: “If this project is successful, it will mean that organisations and young people can work together to provide a great range of cultural and sporting opportunities, as well as advice and support facilities.”
Councillor Ian Cooper, cabinet member for Community Services, also said: “It will bring vitality and renewed sense of community to the area. It would be a very exciting move for the Piece Hall, creating a real community hub. A real coup for Calderdale.”
Plans for The OrangeBox can be seen at Square Chapel from 6pm on January 21 where further consultation will take place.
l Comment: Page 12
Email to a friend
Print this page- A58 crash UPDATE: road now re-open after man hit by car earlier this morning
- Crash on the A58 in Halifax this morning UPDATE: Man in hospital with several broken bones
- Taxi worker dies aged 35 after finishing his shift
- Man suffers serious injuries in accident on M62
- How the new Halifax Central Library will look
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Halifax
Saturday 11 February 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: -2 C to 0 C
Wind Speed: 8 mph
Wind direction: South west
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 2 C to 5 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: North west
