EDITORIAL: Youth centre good fit for Prosvita

Residents of a north-side neighbourhood aren’t exactly welcoming the idea of a youth centre taking over the space once occupied by the Ukrainian Prosvita.

One has to wonder what’s behind their opposition to the $10.5-million proposal, which would also see the Indian Friendship Centre move to the?South High Street location.

In making their case to council – and in letters to this newspaper – they subtly suggested they were worried about rising crime rates in their neighbourhood.

At the very least, that’s a slap in the face to the city’s youth. At its worst, it’s racism rearing its ugly head once again in Thunder?Bay.

Argue the merits of the proposal all you want.?Perhaps the city can’t afford it’s $2.5-million contribution.
From this viewpoint, it’s hard to see why they can’t.

If crime is such a concern, residents should be welcoming the project with open arms. The programming planned for the new centre has been designed to keep today’s youth off the streets and headed in the right direction.

The traffic argument used is also bogus. The Prosvita for years hosted all manner of shags and socials, bringing plenty of  people into the neighbourhood each weekend. How is this any different – other than the colour of the skin of those using the facility?