ByJonathan Kalmus, Jonathan Kalmus
A major fundraising effort for a £1.5 million youth hub for the Leeds Jewish community is off to a good start with more than one-third of the money pledged.
Around £600,000 has already been promised by community donors only two weeks after the fundraising committee launched a community-wide appeal to relocate The Zone youth club.
The money will be used to redevelop part of the Brodetsky Primary School site in Alwoodley to include gyms, dance and sound studios and upgraded all-weather football pitches. Planning permission was received in December.
Youth club trustee Daniel Lee said the current building in Moortown was in desperate need of upgrading.
"The facilities were never brilliant and now they are outdated. The parking is poor, it doesn't make the best use of its location and it's leaking. At the end of the day, this move will provide a much safer and secure location right in the heart of the community and it provides outdoor space which we didn't have before. It will be inspiring for kids."