Horizon Youth Zone nears opening as handover marks major milestone
Final preparations underway inside Grimsby’s £14m state-of-the-art youth facility
The £14m Horizon Youth Zone in Grimsby has moved a major step towards opening, after contractors handed over the keys to the charity behind the project.
The handover has allowed staff to begin the final fit-out and training phase ahead of a full opening expected around February.
Memberships opened on 6 November at just £5 a year, with each session costing 50p. More than a hundred young people have already signed up to access the centre’s huge range of facilities - from a climbing wall, boxing gym and 3G pitch, to music studios, a maker space, arts rooms and a sensory space.
Chief executive Lucy Ottewell-Key said: “Horizon I hope will become a community asset well into the future, and well beyond me, in that it becomes part of the fabric of Grimsby town centre and North East Lincolnshire.”
She added: “The next three months are really pivotal not just for the community but also for the organisation of the team.”
Young people have helped shape the Youth Zone since 2019, influencing everything from room colours to facilities. Ms Ottewell-Key said: “Horizon’s Young People Development Group are in the fabric of the walls of this place, they’ve made so many key decisions.”
Inclusivity is at the centre of the offer. Hot meals will cost £1, and a weekly SEND session will run alongside the universal programme.
Head of youth work Suzanne Kavanagh said: “Our SEND community will be more than welcome and supported to access the space across the universal offer.”
The Youth Zone will open seven days a week for ages 8–19, and up to 25 for young adults with learning disabilities. It will employ around 60–65 staff, most in frontline youth work.
Membership sign-ups and supporter information are available via the Horizon Youth Zone website.