IN PICTURES: Celebrating the 10th anniversary of Wigan Youth Zone with a trip back to launch day 2013

By Michelle Adamson

Published 5th Jun 2023, 04:55 GMT

In June 2013, Wigan Youth Zone opened with a day of celebration with a variety of free activities in Mesnes Park, demonstrations of what the new facility had to offer for the young people of the borough and a parade through Wigan town centre with the FA Cup which Wigan Athletic had won a few weeks before.

We take you back to that memorable day.

Life President Dave Whelan, right, with the FA Cup as founder chairman Martin Ainscough cut the ribbon to mark the official opening of Wigan Youth Zone.

. 2013 - Wigan Youth Zone

Life President Dave Whelan, right, with the FA Cup as founder chairman Martin Ainscough cut the ribbon to mark the official opening of Wigan Youth Zone. Photo: Michelle Adamson

Crowds gather to show support and get a look inside.

. 2013 - Wigan Youth Zone

Crowds gather to show support and get a look inside. Photo: Michelle Adamson

Employment youth worker Jayne West, centre, with volunteers Jade Jones, left, and young leader Adam Jones, right, at the official opening of Wigan Youth Zone.

. 2013 - Wigan Youth Zone

Employment youth worker Jayne West, centre, with volunteers Jade Jones, left, and young leader Adam Jones, right, at the official opening of Wigan Youth Zone. Photo: Michelle Adamson

The brightly coloured walls celebrate famous aspects of Wigan, at the official opening of Wigan Youth Zone.

. 2013 - Wigan Youth Zone

The brightly coloured walls celebrate famous aspects of Wigan, at the official opening of Wigan Youth Zone. Photo: Michelle Adamson

Crowds rushes into the doors at the official opening of Wigan Youth Zone.

. 2013 - Wigan Youth Zone

Crowds rushes into the doors at the official opening of Wigan Youth Zone. Photo: Michelle Adamson

from left, Honorary president Lord Peter Smith, Olympic Torch bearer Cameron Foster, Mayoress of Wigan Janet Lumley and Mayor of Wigan councillor Billy Rotherham, view the skatepark as they look around the facilities.

. 2013 - Wigan Youth Zone

from left, Honorary president Lord Peter Smith, Olympic Torch bearer Cameron Foster, Mayoress of Wigan Janet Lumley and Mayor of Wigan councillor Billy Rotherham, view the skatepark as they look around the facilities. Photo: Michelle Adamson

Members of the WYZ team, from left, founder chairman Martin Ainscough, honorary president Lord Peter Smith, life chairman Dave Whelan, deputy president Bill Ainscough, the Mayor of Wigan councillor Billy Rotherham, Mayoress Janet Lumley, honorary president David Fairhurst, Olympic torch bearer Cameron Foster and Latics mascot Phoenix, get ready to cut the ribbon at the official opening of Wigan Youth Zone.

. 2013 - Wigan Youth Zone

Members of the WYZ team, from left, founder chairman Martin Ainscough, honorary president Lord Peter Smith, life chairman Dave Whelan, deputy president Bill Ainscough, the Mayor of Wigan councillor Billy Rotherham, Mayoress Janet Lumley, honorary president David Fairhurst, Olympic torch bearer Cameron Foster and Latics mascot Phoenix, get ready to cut the ribbon at the official opening of Wigan Youth Zone. Photo: Michelle Adamson

Dave Whelan, life president of Wigan Youth Zone, outside at the skatepark with BMX using the facilities, at the official opening of Wigan Youth Zone.

. 2013 - Wigan Youth Zone

Dave Whelan, life president of Wigan Youth Zone, outside at the skatepark with BMX using the facilities, at the official opening of Wigan Youth Zone. Photo: Michelle Adamson

Young people enjoy being in the parade through Wigan town centre for the official opening of Wigan Youth Zone.

. 2013 - Wigan Youth Zone

Young people enjoy being in the parade through Wigan town centre for the official opening of Wigan Youth Zone. Photo: Michelle Adamson

Families have fun in Mesnes Park, Wigan, part of the activities at the official opening of Wigan Youth Zone.

. 2013 - Wigan Youth Zone

Families have fun in Mesnes Park, Wigan, part of the activities at the official opening of Wigan Youth Zone. Photo: Michelle Adamson

A parade starting from Mesnes Park to Market Place Wigan to mark the official opening of Wigan Youth Zone.

. 2013 - Wigan Youth Zone

A parade starting from Mesnes Park to Market Place Wigan to mark the official opening of Wigan Youth Zone. Photo: Michelle Adamson

Dave Whelan lifts the FA Cup during the parade.

. 2013 - Wigan Youth Zone

Dave Whelan lifts the FA Cup during the parade. Photo: Michelle Adamson

The Verve bassist Simon Jones on stage, as he joins the guest judges at the Battle of the Bands competition, part of the official opening of Wigan Youth Zone.

. 2013 - Wigan Youth Zone

The Verve bassist Simon Jones on stage, as he joins the guest judges at the Battle of the Bands competition, part of the official opening of Wigan Youth Zone. Photo: Michelle Adamson

Crowds gather to watch the Battle of the Bands competition at the official opening of Wigan Youth Zone.

. 2013 - Wigan Youth Zone

Crowds gather to watch the Battle of the Bands competition at the official opening of Wigan Youth Zone. Photo: Michelle Adamson

Organisers and winners of the Battle of the Bands competiton, Wigan band Incandescent were awarded the winning trophy by guest judge and The Verve band member, Simon Jones, fourth from left, part of the events to mark the official opening of Wigan Youth Zone.

. 2013 - Wigan Youth Zone

Organisers and winners of the Battle of the Bands competiton, Wigan band Incandescent were awarded the winning trophy by guest judge and The Verve band member, Simon Jones, fourth from left, part of the events to mark the official opening of Wigan Youth Zone. Photo: Michelle Adamson

Life President Dave Whelan, right, with the FA Cup as founder chairman Martin Ainscough cut the ribbon to mark the official opening of Wigan Youth Zone.

1. 2013 - Wigan Youth Zone

Life President Dave Whelan, right, with the FA Cup as founder chairman Martin Ainscough cut the ribbon to mark the official opening of Wigan Youth Zone. Photo: Michelle Adamson

Crowds gather to show support and get a look inside.

2. 2013 - Wigan Youth Zone

Crowds gather to show support and get a look inside. Photo: Michelle Adamson

Employment youth worker Jayne West, centre, with volunteers Jade Jones, left, and young leader Adam Jones, right, at the official opening of Wigan Youth Zone.

3. 2013 - Wigan Youth Zone

Employment youth worker Jayne West, centre, with volunteers Jade Jones, left, and young leader Adam Jones, right, at the official opening of Wigan Youth Zone. Photo: Michelle Adamson

The brightly coloured walls celebrate famous aspects of Wigan, at the official opening of Wigan Youth Zone.

4. 2013 - Wigan Youth Zone

The brightly coloured walls celebrate famous aspects of Wigan, at the official opening of Wigan Youth Zone. Photo: Michelle Adamson

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