On Friday 12 April 2013, Kirklees Council and Huddersfield YMCA held a launch party for the refurbished Multi Use Games Area (MUGA) situated at Huddersfield YMCA on New Hey Road.

The MUGA was revamped with £4,897 of funding agreed by Huddersfield Area Committee in July last year as part of a response to concerns about a lack of proper facilities for local young people and an increase in low level anti-social behaviour.

As part of the revamp works the MUGA was been repaired, renovated and lit.

In return for the investment, the YMCA will make the MUGA available for public use regularly on evenings and weekends and take responsibility for its upkeep. Kirklees Integrated Youth Support Service has also been providing one session of organised sports activities at the MUGA each week since early January 2013. The sessions take place each Monday evening between 6.30-8.15pm for 13-19 year olds.

At the launch event, there were a range of activities for young people to try out including: football, dodgeball, touch rugby, unihoc, easy gliders, slack lines or power kits. The mobile youth club was also be on site.

Cllr Cahal Burke who was instrumental in bringing the proposal to the Committee said:

“I am really pleased that the young people living in Salendine Nook, Oakes and Lindley areas will now have a place they can go and play in good quality facilities. And in comparison to building a whole new MUGA from scratch, the investment here is a fraction – so we’ve got really good value for money. The project is a really good example of what can be achieved by the council working in partnership with local community organisations which is something I am very in favour of. I am sure that between the YMCA and the Council’s Integrated Youth Support Service, the place is going to see plenty of use this summer and in the future.”