A seven-year dream will come to fruition in the coming months for Father Leo Donnelly, when the Port Macquarie Youth Centre opens its doors in Horton Street.
The facilities will cater for 12- to 25-year-olds and will provide a combination of activities which will not only provide greater self esteem to the youth of Port Macquarie, but will also empower them with the skills to develop and lead programs for others.
Centre manager Michael Gilmour said from 6am — 3pm the centre will offer educational courses in partnership with St Agnes Parish, Mission Australia, the Port Macquarie Community College and Links to Learning.
Mr Gilmour is a former Detective Sergeant with the NSW Police Force and has been active in youth matters in our local schools and sporting groups for some time.
He said the renovating builders have advised that work will be completed and the site handed over at the end of September.
A graduated opening will commence in early October, with two official openings in November.
“Our aim is to provide disengaged kids and children at risk with a safe environment where they can come early in the morning, get some exercise, have some breakfast and then be transported to school,” Mr Gilmour said.
“We will then operate a study centre immediately after school which will provide an environment where the kids can work without distractions and have the assistance of not only some volunteer retired school teachers, but also older youths who will be offering a peer support network.”
The site, which was formerly used by Southern Cross University, has been funded to the tune of $3 million by St Agnes Parish, however Mr Gilmore stressed that it was open to all youth, regardless of their political, religious or social status.
In the centre’s lower level, both centre patrons as well as the public will have access to a coffee shop and a relaxed lounge area perfect for casual meet and greets, whilst upstairs will be the Youth Centre, incorporating three plasma TVs, pool tables, table tennis tables, computers, PlayStation, Wii and Xbox consoles, among other stations.
“The coffee shop will enable the youth to not only be able to relax and enjoy a cuppa but also enable us to provide hands-on barista training,” Mr Gilmour said.
“Upstairs will be the ‘social hub’ with participants being required to sign in and wear photo identification before entering.
“This way we know who is in the centre at any time and can provide the safest environment for everyone, whilst also providing the best opportunity for social interaction.”
The centre has another building consisting of a well equipped training facility incorporating boxing, martial arts and dance classes as well as a music room and recording studio.
“Whilst we will open our doors with a large amount of equipment and infrastructure in place, we are always very grateful for any donations such music equipment, electronic games or even people donating their time as volunteers,” Mr Gilmour said.
One such volunteer is well known community advocate Sid Crane.
For a while now, Mr Crane has been assisting Mr Gilmour to set up the Port Macquarie Youth Centre (The Hub), and said it was an extremely rewarding experience.
For further information or to find out how you can help, you can contact the Youth Centre manager Michael Gilmour via email at mgilmour@stagnesparish.org.au or by phone on 0408 258 398.
