Cash hopes for a revamped YMCA; CAMPAIGN: Chance of dated youth service building gaining windfall.

Byline: Chris Henwood

A CHARITY is in the running for a pounds 4 million Lottery windfall to bring its "stretched and outdated" facilities up to the 21st century.

The West Bromwich YMCA, which has served Sandwell youngsters for more than 120 years, has a one-in-four chance of winning the grant after making it through to the second round of bidding in the Big Lottery fund's myplace scheme. A total of pounds 31.6 million will be shared out between 40 projects in the Government-funded scheme, which is backed by the Department for Children, Schools and Families.

It aims to deliver world class youth facilities driven by the active participation of young people and their views and needs.

And the plans for the 40-yearold Carters Green centre, which are currently being laid out by architects, include a climbing wall, cafe with non-alcoholic bar, multi-use sports hall and IT facilities.

Steve Clay, chief executive of the West Bromwich and District YMCA, said: "We are delighted with this news.

"This money is greatly needed to bring our premises into the 21st century and the young people of Sandwell deserve it.

"It is the result of months of hard work by the YMCA and its many partners including the Council and NHS.

"Our current facilities are so stretched and outdated that we are not able to provide the types of activities that attract young people.

"Many people in the area that I speak to can remember back to their youth, and will recall their involvement in the YMCA with great fondness.

"This money is crucial if the YMCA wants to continue this for our children and grandchildren."

Local MP Tom Watson has also backed the West Bromwich YMCA bid.

"If they get the cash it will be a big boost for the young people of West Bromwich who are desperate for an improvement in the facilities available to them," he said.

"I wish the scheme the best of luck.

"And I will support it in any way I can because it is vital that Sandwell gets as many of these Lottery funds as possible to improve the lot of its young people."

Winning bids for round two of myplace are expected to be announced later this year.

* The West Bromwich bid by the YMCA follows work starting on the new YMCA development in Reservoir Road, Erdington.

The new pounds 13.5 million apartment block will replace the existing YMCA hostel.

CAPTION(S):

Lottery cash with local MP Tom Watson.