Susanna Freymark
What would Kyogle be like without Kyogle Youth Centre, affectionately known as The Youthie?
The Youthie building in Memorial Park will be demolished if the development application for the Kyogle Recreation Centre goes ahead in its current form.
Cheryl Gilroy was the facilitator at a public forum for Kyogle Together on Saturday, September 27.
Cheryl asked the more than 50 people gathered the pertinent question about The Youthie – what would our town be like without this place?.
The responses were thoughtful, heartfelt and at times emotional.
“It’s not just a building – it’s a home.”
“Youth come here and they are seen.”
“This is a safe haven for our mob; our elders come here.”
“There is no hidden agenda. You come here – you are cared for here.”
“It is a safe haven.”
For 30 years, the laneway space has been more than just a building for youth to gather.
The space is used for many services including the Kyogle Youth Action Program, Nourishing Kyogle and Fairshare Kitchen and the Volunteer Assistant Network and Recovery Support Services.
Many at the forum said the space was also a safe haven free of judgment for those impacted by domestic violence.
Former Kyogle Together youth worker Mikala Daley said The Youthie was a lifeline.
“The youth drop-in might look like kids hanging out but it is a safe place,” Mikala said.
“A chat in the park can lead to finding emergency accommodation or help with a job interview.”
The council’s suggestion that the youth centre can operate from a bookable space at the rec centre shows they don’t get it, she said.
Two meeting rooms are included in the rec centre design.
“Young people need a permanent home,” Mikala said.
“What would happen to those young people if we weren’t here? she said to the meeting.
“I believe every town needs a youth centre like this.”
Mikala’s voice cracked a little and she apologised for her welling tears.
“We are so lucky to have this space.”
Lea Hine from Kyogle Together said the numbers showed the benefits to Kyogle – 18 local food businesses donate food and 5500 meals have been served this year. Lea shared more data about how much the service was used.
The centre also supports Muli Muli and Jubullum. Kyogle Together runs the community gym at the showground. There are 334 members with 41% of the members aged 14-24 years.
(The community gym is currently at the showground and because of frequent flooding, Kyogle Together wants to see the gym housed in the new rec centre. A portion of the gym membership fees go towards Kyogle Together to provide services).
Everyone had a lot to say. Two Kyogle councillors – Brett McNamara and Rob Cullen were at the meeting in a silent observance role only.
While Kyogle Council has reportedly said Kyogle Together could operate out of council-owned buildings such as Grove House (where Kyogle Family Support Services is) or the seniors/community centre, Lea and others have said these spaces are not suitable.
Read the council’s response here.
It is all about a space for youth to hang out, to feel safe, to feel like it is a place of their own was the message from the meeting.
The State Government funding for the rec centre was allocated before the floods and a design was drawn up. Delays threaten that funding if ‘ground is not broken’ for work to start on the project. Ballooning costs over the years since the initial concept push the urgency of starting the project.
The council want the project to move ahead. The community wants to make sure their needs are met.
One woman said why not have a youth space where the indoor basketball court was going to go.
“A basketball court won’t solve youth problems,” she said.
There have been issues with retaining the learn to swim pool and with relocating the community gym in the past.
Here are the current rec centre design plans on public exhibition.
If you feel strongly about what should and shouldn’t be in the rec centre, below is a guide from Kyogle Together on how to make a submission towards the DA. Any submissions must be made by October 9.