Preston’s Youth Zone ‘Vault’ is starting to take shape ahead of its scheduled opening which is expected to be in the summertime this year.

Work began in the last year on the new £11m building, in Lord Street opposite Preston Bus Station – which has been more than a decade in the making.

Steel frames were put up in December and now the building has three different floors which map out rooms. Partners from The Foxton Centre and Lancashire Youth Challenge were invited to see its progress.

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The Youth Zone is part of the OnSide charity which operates dozens of youth zone buildings across the country.

Inside the building will be a climbing wall, recording studio, performing arts space, sports pitches, boxing gym, café and more.

There will also be a huge open plan sports hall which will host tennis, football and indoor panel as well as a rooftop pitch.

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Work has already begun to engage young people in the facility. Partners from The Foxton Centre have been hosting a DJ booth at Preston’s Bus Station to discourage anti-social behaviour.

Michael Wilkinson, the new head of youth work at the Youth Zone said: “It’s clear there’s already young people in the area needing a youth service, but it’s not one size fits all for young people.

“It’s got to be accessible and affordable so they can all access it.”

The team at OnSide said the young people have been involved throughout the whole process. They are planning to bring them to the site in April so they can see the building progress.

You can see pictures of how it is taking shape below.

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