Help likely for youth centre

Press, 25 February 1987, Page 8

Help likely for youth centre

A private business organisation is likely to give $120,000 to the Christchurch Youth Centre for gunning costs, the City Council’s cultural and community services committee was told yesterday. The Mayor of Christchurch, Sir Hamish Hay, said the organisation, which did not yet want to be named, was planning to fund the centre at a rate of $lO,OOO every three months for the next three years.

The committeee recommended to the budget subcommittee that the council provide $75,000 for the centre in the approaching

year. Last year $60,000 was budgeted. Councillors agreed that the council had a commitment to continue helping the centre. Cr Clive Cotton praised the work of its management.

The chairman of the centre’s trust, Mr Frank Crothall, reported that the centre was in a serious financial position, with only $lO,OOO in hand. Much of the criticism directed at the Worcester Street centre since it opened 18 months ago had been emotional and in many instances unfounded and malicious, he said.

He was disappointed at the lack of support given by Christchurch serivce clubs and youth organisations and said the centre needed more community funding. In spite of management and administration changes to the good the young people of Christchurch still did not patronise it enough. During the day it was used by the socially disadvantaged and in the evening by a different section of young people who wanted entertainment other than that provided by hotels. In supporting the application for $75,000, the

council’s community adviser, Mr Alister Graham, said in a report fliat the centre has made a big contribution towards solving youth problems. It had become a focal point for drawing together ivailable community resoirces and a safe bouse for young people to atterd. He was confident that the centre’s ~ earlier troubles were over-and noted that the p iblic response was now nuch more positive and supportive. “Earlier critics, like the police and inner-city businesses, are now jwch more supportive.” I