Herts consortium wins £5million bid

A new world class centre for extreme sports and youth provision is to be built in Hemel Hempstead following a successful bid for a £5 million grant by a consortium that included Youth Connexions Hertfordshire. The government has awarded £180million in such grants nationally, and the bid was one of 40 successful projects. This centre of excellence has a working title of "Extreme Connexions", however the final name will be chosen by young people.

This visionary new building will be an outstanding place of adventure, excitement, challenge, resource, education and support which will enthral and empower young people. The unique aspect of this project is how the exciting combination of extreme sports facilities (indoor skate / bmx park, indoor climbing walls, indoor caving and a high ropes course) will sit alongside the Youth Connexions One Stop Shop which will provide Information, Advice, Guidance, Support, Personal Development, Counselling, health Teen Clinic and a music recording studio, performing arts, internet cafe and chillout zone.

The project is a partnership between two tiers of local authority, two third sector trusts and local young people. More than 14,000 local young people have been consulted over the past 3 years as to their needs and wants. This project is the culmination of that consultation.

Anne Andrews, Chair of the Dacorum Children's Trust Partnership, comments :"Such a project has been a vision for the Dacorum Children's Trust Partnership for many years. I am absolutely delighted that, in the true spirit of partnership working, a number of our key partners - Dacorum Sports Trust, Hertfordshire County Council, Youth Connexions and Dacorum Borough Council - have worked with our local young people to make this dream possible.

Mohamed Fawzi, Youth Connexions District Manager, adds "Extreme Connexions will provide a focal point for all the partner agencies to co-operate more effectively in delivering a wider range of high quality services to young people and the rest of the community. The young people's input has been invaluable and instrumental in the design, layout of the building and the services and facilities within.

As a partnership we have set ourselves some very challenging targets and we hope to ensure that the programmes and range of facilities available will encourage all, and particularly the more disadvantaged, disengaged and under represented young people to try new, exciting and rewarding activities whether it be artistic, cultural, physical or educational.

Artist impression of the new building

"This exciting project looks fantastic, is exactly what is needed and it's everything we want and more. The Myplace funding will make our dream a reality. I am proud to be on the Youth Management Shadow Board representing the views of Dacorum's youth."

Rosie - Student at Hemel Hempstead School & Member of the Project Management Shadow Board

"This funding will give us an opportunity to build a project that will deliver facilities and services for young people developed in partnership with young people. The amazing Extreme Connexions Project will inspire young people and make a real difference to their lives. I am one of over 14,000 children and young people who have been involved in the different consultation stages for this project."

Nickye - Student at Longdean School & Member of the Project Management Shadow Board