WATCH: Work begins on Wolves chairman, Steve Morgan's, youth zone project

The centre, being built on Worcester Street, will be open to thousands of city youngsters. And Morgan has predicted it will play a key role in the regeneration of Wolverhampton city centre.

He said he was proud to be overseeing a project that 'every town and city should have', with Wolverhampton the first in the Midlands to do so.

The youth zone, called The Way, will open in early 2016.

See also: Plans for new Wolverhampton youth centre are moved by a metre.

It will cater for five-a-side football, amateur dramatics, computer technology, music, dancing, basketball, netball and a host of other activities.

In doing so, the centre will become just the second youth club in Wolverhampton, after up to 30 were axed earlier this year by the council due to budget cuts.

Morgan, speaking at the official launch of work starting on the site of the former Scala cinema, said he couldn't wait for it to open.

"This is a fantastic project for the young people of this city," he said.

"It's a place for young people to go, it will get them off the streets and will have excellent facilities and activities they could hardly dream of.

"It's what every town and city should have and I'm delighted we've been able to bring to Wolverhampton first.

"Wolverhampton will be proud of this and I can't wait to showcase it when it's built."

Wolves supremo Morgan is chairman of the youth zone project, with inspiration taken from a similar and successful scheme in Wigan which has attracted 9,000 youngsters.

Initial predictions for The Way are for 3,000 members, with up to 250 attending every night.

A key aspect to the centre, Morgan said, was that it would be affordable for all, with rates of 50p entry per day to use all the facilities.

"It's all inclusive, it's for everybody," he said.

See also: Wolverhampton youth clubs axed as cuts come into force.

"It will give people from all backgrounds and all areas of the city a focus.

"It's about the young people of Wolverhampton and it's a proud moment for the city."

With several regeneration projects either completed, ongoing or in the pipeline, Wolverhampton city centre is undergoing a transformation.

And Morgan said The Way would play a key role in that.

"It will really help in the city's regeneration," he said.

"It's great to see the new Sainsbury's going up, the Mander Centre being redeveloped, Sunbeam, Marston's building a new office, the new University Technical College – there's a lot happening.

"And this is after a period of very little happening for such a long time. It's great to see this progress being made."

The Way will also have a four-court sports hall, an outdoor recreation area, kitchen and cafe area and a radio booth, as well as martial arts and boxing facilities.

It is expected to cost £1m a year to run and will be open to young people between the ages of eight and 19 who pay £5 a year in membership.

Epic Youth Café in Lichfield Street is currently the city's only youth club and Wolverhampton City Council's children's chief, Councillor Val Gibson, said The Way was a vital project for the city.

She said: "It's something that's really needed.

"We're concerned all the time about anti social behaviour and making sure young people have somewhere to go and have something to do.

"We're able to provide a state-of-the-art facility which will be the first of its kind in the Midlands.

"It will be great for Wolverhampton to be leading on this kind of project.

"Children and young people regardless of ability will be able to use this facility.

"There'll be something for everybody."

See also: Multi-million transformation for West Bromwich YMCA.