TAMWORTH’S multi-million dollar new drop-in centre will open its doors for the first time today, heralding a new era for youth services in the city.
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The Youthie has moved from Peel St to Coledale’s Centenary Park and will be joined by a host of other services at the new centre, including Tamworth Family Support Services and Tamworth Local Aboriginal Land Council.
Negotiations are being finalised with a number of other agencies, which are also expected to operate out of the facility.
While the centre is not yet fully open, The Youthie will operate a limited range of programs from today.
Tamworth Regional Council’s youth services co-ordinator Steve Blanch said the response from young people had been “overwhelming”.
“There have been a lot of young people and community members interested in the new facility and they are really excited by what we will have on offer,” he said.
A total of 17 organisations have formed the Tamworth Youth Centre Consortium and committed to working together to deliver services from the $2.5 million facility, the region’s first purpose-built youth centre.
Construction of The Youthie started in March last year and is due to be completed within weeks.
The centre includes youth drop-in facilities, an auditorium, stage and sound recording room, administration areas, consulting rooms, learning spaces, recreational areas, cafe and commercial kitchen and a 41-space car park.
Completion of landscaping has been delayed slightly due to current Level 3 water restrictions in Tamworth.
The centre is part of the federal government’s NOW Initiative, which also involves a range of improvements to the street- scapes, roads and built environment of Coledale and the creation of 58 new blocks for affordable housing.
An official opening for the facility will be held on April 10.
