Youth Zone for Rochdale Town Centre?

Oldham Youth Zone

Members of the Rotary Club of Rochdale paid a visit to Oldham Youth Zone, Mahdlo on Monday 16 December as a fact finder to back their plans for a youth zone in Rochdale.

Members of the club hope to push plans forward for a youth zone in Rochdale Town centre and visited the Oldham Youth Zone, named Mahdlo, to see what could be done.

Rotarian and Rochdale Online Director John Kay, who organised the trip, said: “Rochdale could certainly benefit from something like this.”

Mahdlo was opened in March 2012 and currently has 2,000 regular members who use the facilities. Facilities within the centre include a fully fitted gym, an outdoor football pitch, boxing gym, dance studio, digital media room, music room and enterprise room.

Claire Crossfield, Development Manager for Mahdlo, said: “You can’t write young people off and we are busy seven days a week.”

Mahdlo is currently open seven days a week and caters for juniors and seniors ranging from the age of 12 and to 21. The centre also caters for families and hires the facilities out to schools and local groups.

John added: “I can just see a place like this in Rochdale.”

Nelson Miller, member of Mahdlo said: “Rochdale should definitely get a place like this.”

It is hoped funding would come from working with Rochdale Council and from fundraising within the centre. The team at Mahdlo currently receive 40% of their funding for running costs from Oldham council with 50% coming from fundraising and the final 10% coming from membership and entrance fees.

The youth zone would also need patrons to help support the youth zone in terms of funding and development.

The Rotary Club of Rochdale already have a location in mind and hope to gather the right people together to push their ideas and plans forward. John said: “The next thing to do is to get a committee together to support the idea.”

Anyone interested in becoming part of the committee or wanting to know more about becoming a patron can contact John Kay at: jkay@molesworths.co.uk