The Zone Youth Centre, Caldicot, welcomed the local community for an open day on Friday, 25 October, celebrating the completion of extensive renovations to enhance the facility for young people aged 11 and up in Caldicot.

The centre was officially reopened by Cllr Su McConnel, Chair of Monmouthshire County Council, Cllr Maxine Mitchell, Mayor of Caldicot Town Council, and some young people from the centre.

Some of the building improvements carried out include external rendering and cladding, a new insulated roof, and new windows and doors, all of which help to improve the energy efficiency of the building.

Run in partnership by Caldicot Youth Group and MonLife Youth Service, The Zone provides a safe space where qualified and EWC-registered Youth Workers facilitate various activities, opportunities, and support for youth in the area. Caldicot Youth Group is a registered charity that aims to support the development of youth provision, develop premises for a permanent youth facility, and advocate for young people in the Severnside area.

This October half term, a highlight of the activities available was a trip to Thorpe Park for 140 young people from the Caldicot area.

The renovation of the Zone supports the Caldicot Town Centre Regeneration Plan, which was produced in 2018 and included a regeneration project framework for Caldicot. Funding was provided by the Welsh Government Transforming Town Placemaking Grant and MCC as part of the Town Centre Property Improvement Grants Programme.

Neighbouring properties to the youth centre have already benefited from Welsh Government property enhancement funding.

The quality of the work carried on to the building sets a benchmark for other buildings within the town centre.

The centre was also awarded National Lottery funding, which enabled the refurbishment of the kitchen and provided further funding for cooking activities going forward. Other funding towards the project came from the Welsh Church Fund, ConveyLaw and GAVO/SPF Capital Grants and Ecclesiastical.

Cllr Paul Griffiths, Monmouthshire County Council, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Planning and Economic Development, said: “It is wonderful to see the result of all the hard work which has been put in as part of the regeneration of the Zone since March.”

MCC Cabinet Member for Education, Cllr Martyn Groucutt, added: “I know many people were excited for this day to come, and I am sure we will see the benefits of the work in the coming weeks and months.

“Centres like the Zone are vital to how we support young people across Monmouthshire.”