Energize will be located in the Surrey Canal area of South Bermondsey in London, and will cater for eight- to 19-year-olds, and young people under 25 with disabilities, living in the boroughs of Lewisham and Southwark.
OnSide said the bespoke centre will be integrated with a new state-of-the-art community sports facility and will have a special focus on inclusive sport for all young people.
Described as “a unique four-way partnership” between the private sector, local authorities, young people and communities, youth zones offer modern facilities where young people can learn new skills, make new friends and seek advice from youth workers and volunteers.
OnSide currently manages six youth zones – in Blackburn, Bolton, Carlisle, Manchester, Oldham and Wigan – and plans to open a further 15, including three in London, by 2020.
Timescales for the development of the new facility are not yet known but OnSide said that it will be built in partnership with London regeneration company Renewal and the Surrey Canal Sports Foundation.
Kathryn Morley, chief executive of OnSide, said: “We believe that every town and city should have a Youth Zone, so that all young people no matter their ability will have access to an inspiring place to spend their leisure time.
“We are 100 per cent confident that the London Youth Zone will engage with thousands of young people from Lewisham and Southwark, in exactly the same way they have done in the North West.”
It costs £6m to build and fit out a youth zone, a percentage of which will be funded by Lewisham Council, along with the site on which the youth zone is built.
Sir Steve Bullock, mayor of Lewisham, added: “This is a tremendous project which will deliver much-needed regeneration and investment to the area.
“Energize will invigorate the community and stimulate further opportunities for investment from organisations such as OnSide, which have a positive impact through the work they do.
“Lewisham Council is committed to working together with all those involved in delivering the project to ensure young people in our community are able to take full advantage of the fantastic offer.”
