Y-Zone sneak preview

Dignitaries and those who have contributed funding to the refurbished creative arts centre for young people in Ross-on-Wye have been given a sneak preview of the revamped building.

Representatives from Herefordshire Council, the European Regional Development Fund, Advantage West Midlands and Ross Rotary, who supported the refurbishment, visited the new centre to view the results of their capital funding support.

The Y-Zone, in Hill Street, now boasts improved disabled access and a lift to first floor. Young people at the centre can now tune up and take advantage of a soundproofed music-production suite, an Internet café and filmmaking facilities.  

The centre also includes flexible use spaces such as an arts and crafts room and an open-space balcony studio theatre.

Herefordshire Council’s Community Youth Service Manager, Jon Ralph, said: “The Y-Zone will bring many community benefits to the town and provide youngsters with a superb venue.

“The facilities are excellent and the opening of this building marks an opportunity for young people to develop and learn news skills in a wide variety of fields,” he added.

Refurbishment work on the former Herefordshire Council Community Youth Service building started last autumn. 

Herefordshire Council Community Youth Service (HCCYS) is responsible for the management of the building until Ross Creative Learning Centre (RCLC) takes it over under a lease that is being agreed with Herefordshire Council. 

The RCLC is a charity established to provide young people and the wider community with the opportunity to up-skill through participation in arts related activities and events. 

The RCLC, HCCYS and Basement Youth Trust (BYT) will continue to work in partnership to provide a wide range of opportunities to the young people of Ross and the surrounding area. 

During the sneak preview, Phillip Dazeley, President of Ross Rotary, took the opportunity to present Ross Creative Learning Centre Manager Elaine Clark and Les Duffin, RCLC trustee, with a cheque for more than £10,000 – just part of a £15,000 funding package by the local Rotary club to buy musical equipment and kit out the music studio.

The official opening of the centre is due to take place in the Spring.