January 16, 2009

Youth to have more opportunities on Shore

Mayor Welcomes Youthtown

The establishment of a Youthtown complex in North Shore City kicks off an exciting year of opportunities for local youth, says Mayor Andrew Williams.

Youthtown, which is to sub-lease vacant council land at Sunnybrae Bowling Club in the Wairau Valley, will hold a short ceremony on Monday (19 January) with Mayor Williams turning the first clod of earth. The Mayor will be joined by Youthtown representatives, Councillors, Community Board members and many associated supporters of the project.

Youthtown is to build a series of modular units on the land at 9 Argus Place to accommodate after school, school holiday and other programmes and activities for young people aged 7 to 13 years. For the past three years they have operated from leased space at the Onewa Netball courts, which has placed limitations on the rollout of Youthtown programmes.

Mayor Williams says Council’s approval for Youthtown to sublease the land at Sunnybrae Bowling Club means around 3000 young people on the Shore will be able to be catered for and reduce the need for many to travel across the Auckland Harbour Bridge for youthtown activities.

“We warmly welcome Youthtown to the Shore and look forward to increasing our links with existing youth groups and organisations,” said Mr Williams. “Youthtown have been great supporters and sponsors in the past of many community groups across the Shore and having this base established will greatly help their involvement with so many people across the Shore.”

“When you have up to 3000 young people travelling across to Youthtown’s Auckland City complex, it is clear demand for its presence here is high. I have no doubt this number will swell quite dramatically now that Youthtown will be more easily accessible to our young people,” he said.

Mayor Williams said North Shore City Council’s popular In2it Youth Destinations Project will complement Youthtown.

“In2it has a loyal following of young people and with Youthtown now becoming part of the mix, there are even more opportunities for our youth to get out, about and active.”

To add to the “Youth Year”, the Mayor’s annual charity golf tournament will take place on 12 February and this year proceeds will go towards a fund to support youth initiatives. Last year the inaugural tournament raised $25,000 towards a Korean garden. It is hoped even more will be raised to go towards worthy youth activities.” says Mayor Williams.

-ENDS-

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