The South Leeds Youth Hub is to be built on the site of the old Merlyn Rees High School in Belle Isle.

The major project will provide a range of activities and services
including motorbike and go-kart workshops, a hair and beauty zone and job and careers advice.

It will also include a music and media studio, health clinics and an allotment garden.

Construction firm Wates moved onto site this month to begin the transformation.

The project involves refurbishment of the existing building and construction of an additional two-storey building to create a state-of-the-art youth facility built around a central communal area.

It will comprise 11 key zones including creative areas, a café, chill-out area and specialist work zones.

Once complete, the centre will be open from 10am to 10pm, seven days a week, all year round.

Around 100 to 150 young people are expected to attend on any day from across the south Leeds.

The centre will be up and running by November 2010 and is being funded by 'myplace' – a government scheme run by the Big Lottery Fund.

Youngsters have been involved in the planning and design of the new centre from the beginning and were instrumental in putting together the bid to the Big Lottery Fund.

Coun Richard Harker, executive member responsible for youth services,
said: "It is great to see work starting on site for what we hope to be the first of many 'next-generation' youth centres for Leeds.

"The ongoing input from young people is vital to the success of this project so we really want to encourage young people to let us have their ideas about what they feel will help make the centre great."

The centre will also be a base for supporting vulnerable young people facing problems with relationships, schoolwork, health issues, drug abuse and career decisions.

A counselling service will be a key part of the hub's facilities.