Wirral Life April 2017 | Page 77

W L THE HIVE LAUNCH Saturday 8th April marked the biggest day in the racing calendar, but in the lives of thousands of young people across Wirral, Grand National Day will be remembered as the day The Hive, Wirral Youth Zone opened its doors for the first time. After years of hard work from national charity OnSide Youth Zones from shaking hands with Wirral Council to the spade hitting the ground back in December 2015 and the dramatic countdown of building milestones, Wirral Youth Zone has come a long way. The final furlong was reached and The Hive’s doors opened to welcome hundreds of young people and their families. The opening day kicked off at 1pm as families flocked down to Bright Street in Birkenhead to take advantage of the top-class facilities from a 4G football pitch, four court sports hall, iconic climbing wall, fully fitted gym, skate park, music room, media room, arts and crafts areas, dance studio and even a boxing gym and recording studio. As well as the all-action, fun-packed young people lead day, the official ceremony including the cutting of the ribbon by Youth Zone Chairman and Head of Cammell Laird, John Syvret CBE took place alongside partners Wirral Council, young people and The Hive’s first volunteer. The foursome represented the four-way partnership approach in the project - the private sector, public sector, local community and young people. The giant ‘Hive’ cake really did put the icing on the cake! Following the opening ceremony, the first Senior, Junior and Inclusion sessions took place with hundreds now set to continue their young journey into Wirral Youth Zone on a daily basis.