Finishing touches are being made to the Clearview Youth Centre as it prepares for its grand opening.
Renovations are complete, the painting is done and the set-up is underway. Last week, eight surplus computers were donated from the County of Simcoe CAO’s office. Some of those computers will be setup at workstations throughout the centre, where youth can do homework, search for jobs or watch YouTube. Others will be setup in three private offices that can be used for meetings with counsellors and tutors and as a quiet workspace. A large area in the back of the youth centre is set up as a lounge with sofas, televisions, video games, a kitchenette, musical instruments and a pool table. In addition to regular after school drop-in hours, The Door and Big Brothers Big Sisters will be using the space for its programming.
The youth centre has been a labour of love for Clearview Township Deputy Mayor Barry Burton, who originally pitched the idea to council. He set out to create a safe drug-free, bully-free environment for youth 12-18 that would offer positive social interactions and opportunities for personal development. Burton has spearheaded the initiative and with council approval, set up a committee to oversee the creation of the centre. He said the committee has been putting in a lot of hours, doing what work they can to fix up the leased space at 7458 Highway 26, to keep renovation costs as low as possible. Burton said he has outfitted the centre with more than $1,000 in LED lighting, which he donated through his company. Committee members and youth have also been painting and fixing up furniture.
“It has taken a little longer than I thought,” said Burton. “It has been a lot of work. I have been here a lot of nights working, along with other committee members and the youth.”
Initially $100,000 was set aside for the youth centre with $78,000 of that earmarked to pay the lease over three years but accessibility renovations in the range of $34,000 put the project cost up. To meet accessibility standards, the youth centre has one gender neutral washroom and a second that doubles as a wheelchair accessible washroom.
Onsite counselling will be offered through the Canadian Mental Health Association and the Elizabeth Fry Society. Burton said the three meeting rooms have been fitted with windows to provide a safe environment for counsellors and youth. Burton says there will always be a youth centre coordinator on site when meetings and programs are being held.
Until a permanent coordinator is hired, committee member Michael Fish has volunteered to fill the role, to get the doors open but Burton said there is fundraising to be done and revenue sources to be secured before the hiring can be done, which will most likely be in the form of a contract position.
A recent graduate of the social service worker program, Fish has volunteered with a number of youth programs in the area. He has also been a vocal advocate for youth mental health resources, speaking at Stayner Collegiate Institute, his alma mater, and on the UP (Understanding our Perspective) project youth panel.
The youth centre will be offering programs and counselling onsite, through its partners and by referral to other agencies but it will also be a drop-in centre.
“I will do my best to get them where they need to be,” said Fish.
Burton said the youth centre is looking for other agencies that need a space to offer youth programming and a fundraising campaign is also in the works. They hope to raise $25,000 in order to qualify for a matching grant from The United Way.
In the meantime the exact schedule is still being worked out but the plan is to be open after school and on Saturday afternoons.
Contact the Clearview Youth Centre at 705-428-5500.
The youth centre is hosting a grand opening celebration and ribbon cutting at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 23 with a barbecue to follow.
Trina Berlo photo: Clearview Township Deputy Mayor Barry Burton and IT coordinator Miglena Valeva accept a donation of surplus computer equipment from the County of Simcoe, delivered by fleet and asset manager Brian Barkley.