Proposed city youth hub could cost £13.5m
LDRSA purpose-built new youth hub that would provide a "safe, inclusive and inspiring space for young people" could cost £13.5m, council papers stated.
Peterborough City Council's cabinet will be asked on Tuesday to progress plans for a new Youth Zone on the city's Embankment, which would be run by OnSide Youth Zones, a charity that operates 15 youth centres.
It is hoped it would provide space for those aged eight to 19, and up to 25 for those with additional needs, to socialise, learn skills, access support and take part in activities.
Papers for the meeting said a smaller, less expensive hub had been considered but "there is an ambition not to compromise with this much-needed facility".
The council said it has proposed investing up to £410,000 to "support the next phase of development, including detailed design work and the submission of a planning application".
It added it was "actively exploring all funding avenues" and was looking to apply for government funding.
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"The capital funding to build a Youth Zone is circa £13.5m," the cabinet paper said.
"This cost includes professional fees, construction and fit out. The cost to run a Youth Zone is in the region of £1.5m per annum.
"About 80% of the cost would pay for staffing the Youth Zone and the remainder would cover other building running costs including rates, utilities, insurance, maintenance, and depreciation of the assets," the paper reported.
It said if the council was not to proceed it would "fail to address the underlying challenges faced by young people in Peterborough, such as limited access to safe spaces, rising demand for youth services and inequalities in opportunity".
"Without intervention, issues like social isolation, mental health pressures and anti-social behaviour are likely to persist or worsen, placing further demand on other public services such as policing, social care, and education support," the paper reported.
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