News: Car park closes to make way for "My Place"

Construction is due to start on a £3.46m facility for young people close to Rotherham town centre.

The 39-space car park, adjacent to the Cat and Cabbage pub on St. Ann's Road, will close permanently this Sunday, October 3, to allow for the start on site of the 'My Place' project.

Regular users of this car park are advised that spaces are available on the York Road, Rawson Road and Cottenham Road car parks, which are all off neighbouring Fitzwilliam Road.

The project is led by Chantry YMCA working with the Children & Young Peoples Service of Rotherham Council and the plans have been drawn up by council architects.

The project will focus on social enterprise activity and recreational activities. An alternative curriculum will be offered to young people who have been excluded from mainstream schools. Connexions and Rotherham Children, Young People and Families Voluntary Sector Consortium will also provide support on a range of issues such as homelessness, sexual health and drug rehabilitation.

It will offer a range of facilities for youngsters aged 11-19, including a graffiti art room, IT suite, cinema, performance hall and rooftop café.

A £3.4m grant was secured in March last year from the Department for Children, Schools and Families' myplace programme, administered by the Big Fund.

It is hoped that the centre will create two full time jobs and five part time jobs and provide the opportunity for 15 volunteers.

Wildgoose Construction is due to start on site on October 5.

myplace website

Images: RMBC architects