A group of passionate teens wants the city to open a youth centre.
The Youth Action Committee has spent the past year and a half working on the concept since a poll found there is definite interest in a place for youth to socialize in a safe and secure environment.
“In 2012, YAC (Youth Action Committee) surveyed 357 students from Grades 7 to 12 in order to find out if a youth centre was really needed in Campbell River,” said Nya Harle, chair of the Youth Action Committee in a report to council. “The survey results represented the opinions of close to 15 per cent of middle and high school students. The majority of students agreed that there is a need for a youth centre in Campbell River and that they would attend a youth centre.”
Harle said a youth centre would give youth between the ages of 13 and 18 a place to engage with their peers and be a place developed for youth by youth where they can freely express themselves.
The plan would be to have the youth centre open each day from 3-9 p.m. with hours varied for special events.
“The youth centre would offer space for socializing, a coffee shop type atmosphere, as well as a variety of activities such as areas to play music, pool, and games, and other activities such as sports, arts and crafts, and digital media,” Harle wrote.
“The most popular area for locating a youth centre was in the Merecroft area as it is fairly central in Campbell River and on primary bus routes,” Harle added. “Willow Point was the second most popular option.”