Centre criticism disappoints

Press, 20 February 1986, Page 5

Centre criticism disappoints

The Christchurch Youth Centre was a positive attempt to cater for the needs of a cross-section of young people Including the less advantaged, said a Christchurch City Council community adviser, Mr Alistair Graham, yesterday. Responding to recent criticism that the Youth Centre had downgraded the area of Worcester Street at the rear of Christchurch Cathedral, Mr Graham said it had always been a less than desirable part of the city, and previously the piecart and bus stops had been blamed for detracting from the area. S'

"It is disappointing that some people in the community appear intent to blame the Youth Centre for all anti-social behaviour in the city, without addressing the real social issue," he said. “The centre has not created a problem; it already existed.” Mr Graham said the Youth Centre did not have enough resources and the staff could cope only with running the centre and the problems that occurred inside.

Glue-sniffing was not allowed inside the centre, and young people causing trouble were kept outage said.

Maori wardens, the police, and people on the street gave the centre staff a lot of help, said Mr Graham, but youths on the street had always been a problem and it was stretching resources to try to cope with them also.

“More and more young people are gradually beginning to trust the centre, and it is helping draw some off the street, as well as becoming popular with a wider crosssection of youth,” Mr Graham said.

It had only been going for three months, but the centre had to test its appreciation of young

people, and young people had to test what the centre offered, he said.

Young people faced an identity crisis, and many were making their protest on the street

“This visible protest be it glue-sniffing or other behaviour, suggests that a deeper problem exists,” Mr Graham said. “At least the centre is attempting to address this modem youth phenomena.” While the City Council leased the building to the Youth Centre Trust it had not contributed to the refurbishing.

The refurbishing, which cost more than $200,000, was raised by the trust

The council made a $60,000 grant to the centre to help pay wages.

The acting chairman of the trust, Mr Ken Jones, said that staff salaries were the trust’s biggest budget item, and assistance in this area was appreciated. Without sufficient qualified staff the centre would not be able to provide the high-quality service it offered to young people, he said. “This is an area where a relatively modest investment now can save substantial social and economic costs later,Mr Graham said.