To date the youth facility has generated £950,000 and a 'brick' drive together with other initiatives are making progress to take the fund past the magic £1 million mark.

A pre-tender report will confirm a new price for the venture, expected to be lower than the original £1.4 million, sometime in March.

"We are short, but believe we will come in under that original price," confirmed fundraising chairman Daniel Lee.

"This is an all-or-nothing situation. We have given an undertaking to the school that nothing will happen until we have all the monies secured.

"Once we know the total cost we can then look at the funds pledged."

Daniel added: "Pledging a brick is the best way for the community to be engaged.

"Each organisation in the scheme is doing their own thing and we have another boxing event in March at Elland Road. There are lots of things happening, but the core element is the bricks.

"Once funds are in place we will go to a full tender documentation that will take three to six months and we have to fit in with time-scales to suit the school.

"If everything goes to plan we could look to start working by the end of 2012."

Plans have been approved for a proposed multi-use facility at the Brodetsky Primary School and Deborah Taylor Nursery campus that will incorporate Brodetsky pupils, The Zone, Maccabi FC, Talmud Torah together with scout and guide groups.

"The hub will bring everyone together," said guides leader Deborah Selwyn. "Hopefully we will gain more kids and, of course, we'll have more facilities and a better environment."

"There will be more grounds for the boys to use," added scout leader Anthony Taylor. "We'll have access to make outdoor fires, erect tents and games we don't have the room for currently."

Maccabi chairman Elliot Landy is also behind the project. He said: "It enhances facilities we offer in terms of changing areas and refreshments, and also offers a professional lift for us as a club and the pitches will be relayed and drained."

"We can offer bespoke timetabling so no child misses out on activities," commented Raina Sheaf, of The Zone. "Youngsters will have state-of-the-art equipment and through music, light and sound youngsters can learn more skills. It's a gateway in terms of hobbies and opportunities."

For Brodetsky, there are numerous advantages.

"This is a golden beam of opportunity the community must grasp," said headteacher Jeremy Dunford.

The hub incorporates a sports/internet café and activity area to include pool tables, table tennis, arcade games and dance machines together with multi-purpose gym, art and cinema rooms, music and dance studios.

The design will also double as a clubhouse for Maccabi teams. And a refurbished Silman Hall will have lighting and sound for concerts, theatre, cinema, drama and dance.

Essential to the scheme is for the new Zone to be financially independent. A trust fund from the sale of the Sandhill Lane site will replace funds received from the current Lyons Trust.