Excitement is growing in Barking and Dagenham after preparations to begin building the first OnSide Youth Zone in London moved up another gear.

Councillor Darren Rodwell, Leader of Barking and Dagenham Council along with Deputy Leader, Cllr Saima Ashraf, Councillor Worby and the Young Mayor joined up with young people who have been working with OnSide to unveil a giant banner at the site.

January will see the spade go into the ground at Parsloes Park for the facility which will offer young people aged between 8-19 up to 20 activities a night and will be open seven-days-a-week.

This is the beginning of a wider plan for a new infrastructure at Parsloes Park.

There will be a wide variety of activities and facilities ranging from sports on a 3G kick pitch, in the four-court sports hall and on the giant climbing wall to enterprise and employability opportunities, arts, music, cooking and martial arts.

There will also be inclusive activities for young people with additional needs up to the age of 25.

The national charity OnSide has developed a network of successful and thriving Youth Zones across the North West and Midlands, and Barking Dagenham will be London’s first when it opens in 2019.

OnSide has partnered with Barking and Dagenham Council, which has supplied the land on Parsloes Park, on the junction of Porters Avenue and Gale Street, and funded £3million of the £6million construction costs.

The Queen’s Trust and the Jack Petchey Foundation have funded the remainder, contributing £1.5million each.

Cllr Rodwell said: “These are exciting times for our young people with the creation of London’s first Youth Zone. This project is a ‘once in a generation’ opportunity to provide them with access to an inspiring, quality and affordable facility.

“I am extremely proud that our aspirations for our young people have been matched by our ability to work with the private sector and community to deliver this – another first for our borough. We must ensure our young people have access to the best opportunities and we are confident the Youth Zone will do just that.”

Jamie Masraff, Project Director at OnSide Youth Zones, said: “This really is an exciting time for everybody involved in the project and, most importantly, the young people of Barking and Dagenham.

“We can’t wait to get the spade in the ground and begin building this amazing facility. We are hugely thankful to Cllr Darren Rodwell and everyone at the council, the Queen’s Trust and the Jack Petchey Foundation who have turned this dream into a reality.”