A gap in creative outlets for Hamilton's youth looks to be filled with a creative space for young people, as the opening of Zeal Hamilton grows closer.
Zeal is a not-for-profit youth organisation for the advancement of young people.
Zeal is expected to open in Hamilton at the end of July. It will hold after school classes in creative industries such as art, photography, live sound, barista training, graphic design, writing and more.
The idea behind Zeal is to give young people a place to expand their knowledge and be creative.
Peter Allely , Zeal Hamilton manager, says it has been a five-year journey to bring Zeal to Hamilton.
"In 2009 we recognised there were some needs for encouraging creative industries in Hamilton that were still around from when we were in high school.
"From there we decided to investigate opening an all ages creative space. We surveyed 200,000 young people and asked them what they would like to see in a purpose built arts facility, and that came back saying they wanted something like Zeal."
Weekend events such as parties and gigs will also be held in their purpose-built, all-youth space on weekends, and will be drug and alcohol free.
Youth under 18 are welcome to 'hang out' at the space located on Ward Lane, and do not have to be part of a class.
The facility includes sound-proof recording rooms capable of linking up so sound can be recorded from each at the same time. This is perfect for bands, Mr Allely says.
Downstairs there are plans to have a social enterprise cafe open in the second year, where students of the barista training programmes will be able to put their skills to work.
Zeal has teamed up with IDEA services and Te Ahurei a Rangatahi who will lease offices at the back, and use the space during school hours. Te Ahurei a Rangatahi provides peer education programmes to youth in mainstream schools, alternative learning centres, training academies, and youth groups.
IDEA Services is part of IHC, providing support for people with intellectual disabilities of all ages and their families.
Brook Turner, CEO of Zeal Education Trust, says they wanted to make sure they could facilitate kids from all walks of life.
"We are historically a Pakeha organisation, we have a need for a bicultural approach, that is why we have a partnership."
Each of the youth workers at Zeal are also counsellors.
"When young people come up on an afternoon, they can pick their brains about what is going on. As passionate as we are about seeing them thriving, we are as passionate about the holistic health of the young person."
Classes after school will be an hour and a half each week for each of the training streams.
There are no set subjects, and kids are able to come up with ideas and things they want to do or learn about, "No idea is too crazy!" Mr Turner says.
The space comes to a total build cost of $1.3 million. With $1.2 million raised there is still a way to go with funding.
The main gig room where weekend events will be held has a standing capacity of 300. There will also be a photography studio, kitchen, production room for both digital and hard copy such as fine art.
Danial Hilson is one of the youth workers who will be at Zeal Hamilton. Mr Hilson says to be a part of Zeal Hamilton it is just a matter of walking through the door, or emailing Mr Allely to sign up for a class, though numbers are limited.
The focus is on youth health issues such as sexual and reproductive health, mental health, anger management drugs and alcohol, and youth health and wellbeing, as well as projects that create positive thinking in the community with family and provide free counselling services.