Enthusiasm builds for new youth centre

The Blackwood Youth Action group is one step closer to building a new youth centre in Bridgetown, after gaining support from the Department for Planning, Lands and Heritage.

The proposed centre will be built in the place of Bridgetown’s old officer-in-charge police house and the department has given in principle support for the not-for-profit group to take on a 21-year lease with peppercorn rent.

Group youth services coordinator Tanya Beechey said she had taken a group of youths to the premises, to brainstorm what they envisioned the new centre to be.

“The group I took through were very excited at the prospect of having their own space, rather than using the current shared space at the old convent,” she said.

“The convent has been a fantastic facility for us over the past couple of years but we are fast outgrowing it with the variety of activities and workshops that we conduct.”

Renovations to the proposed space will hopefully include disability access, toilet and shower facilities and a freestanding separate area for young adults.

“LotteryWest have expressed interest in the project and we are currently in discussions regarding funding of the facility,” Ms Beechey said.

“We have an amazing group of key stakeholders in this community including builder Peter Vowles and draftsman Steve Schrama, who are guiding us through this major project and as it gains further ground I anticipate lots of opportunity for community involvement.”