Paul Pugh is disappointed that a plan for a youth centre in his ward fell through.
The McKellar councillor said there was community and council support to move the Indian Friendship Centre and a new youth centre into the former Port Arthur Prosvita but no support from the federal and provincial governments.
"If you don't have the financial support it doesn't matter how you feel about it you still don't have the financial support," he said.
He thinks using community centres could be a temporary solution, but they're too small to house youth programs permanently. At some point the city is going to need a new building for its youth.
"This city needs to put some serious funding and some serious energy into a proper youth centre," he said.
Pugh also wants to see that building end up in his ward.
"It's central and it makes sense to put things in a central location," he said.
Pugh thinks the city will keep its partnership with the 50-year-old IFC as a new location can be found.
Council had committed in principle to an $8.1 million partnership with the Indian Friendship Centre to turn the former Port Arthur Prosvita into a new home for the IFC and a youth centre.
While the city backed that with $2.5 million, the federal and provincial governments weren't willing to match.
The city had a $57,000 hold on the High Street building until the end of the month in order to keep up operating costs while the city tracked down funding. The money will be lost.
A report is expected next month that will possibly outline some options.
