Youth centred

A proposed $10-million youth-centre project has plenty of support on council, but some residents insist their north-side neighbourhood is the wrong location.

The plan would see the Port Arthur Ukrainian Prosvita on High Street transformed into a youth centre and also become the new home of the Thunder Bay Indian Friendship Centre. The city is being asked to kick in $2.5 million and $300,000 a year in operation costs to create a 16,950 square foot youth centre,  the first phase of the multi-year project.

City recreation and culture manager Beverly Ball said the partnership with the friendship centre fits well with a lot of the city's strategies.
"This council has told us to invest in our youth and create partnerships," she said.

The second phase would see the friendship centre move from its Cumberland Street location as its grown out of the space after 50 years.
A third phase would add a new addition for a family resource centre. It has the support of numerous community groups and councillors as well. But residents in the area, known as Friends of the Intercity Area, have raised numerous concerns. Council heard Monday that the youth centre could see up to 30,000 visits a year.

Friends of the Intercity Area’s Michael Lemesani said that's too much traffic. While the Prosvita held community events and concerts that brought people to the area, that was once in a while.

"We really can't handle that," he said.

Lemesani said the group wants a youth centre but it would serve youth better in an area they like to go to such as near the Intercity Mall or Silver City movie theatre. This alternate location, along with other areas like Innova Park, were brought up at a McKellar Ward meeting about the centre last week.

McKellar Coun. Paul Pugh said he agrees that the centre needs to be in an area where youth would be, which is why the current proposal is a good fit.

Residents are also worried about an increase in crime in the area should the project go ahead. Ball said its more likely that the centre would deter that kind of activity.

"Typically people take great pride in having a community site that has programs they enjoy,” she said.

And the Indian Friendship Centre’s Bernice Dubec said in the 50 years her organization has been at its Cumberland Street location, crime has never been an issue.

"We do not have increased criminal activity or problem in our area as a result of us being in that area,” she said.

The project was presented as a first report to allow council and members of the public to discuss the idea. Since it's tied to funding from other levels of government that hasn't been committed, Northwood Coun. Mark Bentz said he wants to know if the project is feasible without other phases. And because the city is being asked to spend millions, he wants to see if this plan is the best option for a youth centre.

"I haven't seen that at all," he said.

Coun. Joe Virdiramo said the city needs to be involved in much more than just a financial way.

"We're going to be a major player and I'd hope that we wouldn’t just be a financial player,” he said.

The proposal will come back to council Jan. 13. The Friends of the Intercity Area are holding a meeting on the idea Dec. 19 at the Moose Hall.