Despite no financial commitment, city council fully supports the idea of a new youth centre for Thunder Bay.
The Thunder Bay Indian Friendship Centre presented their plan for a youth centre at the Port Arthur Prosvita Ukranian Society on High Street Monday night. Executive director Bernice Dubec said at least 15 per cent of all youth in the city are Aboriginal.
“These figures are probably lower than actuals,” she said.
The 35,450 square foot building would also eventually house the Friendship Centre as a whole, the current Cumberland Street facility is too small to meet demand for the centre’s more than 20 services.
The centre asked for $1.5 million to purchase the building and renovations for a youth centre. The second phase would need another $1 million to renovate the building to house all other programming space. It would also need $300,000 per year for operating costs from the city.
Coun. Larry Hebert asked whether the youth centre would be for all youth, not just Aboriginals. Dubec said 13 per cent of all clients at the centre right now are not Aboriginal and a new youth centre would be an opportunity to be even more inclusive.
“To reach out to each other to learn from each other and share,” she said. “And to move our city forward.
“We welcome all people to our programs and services that we can.”
A current bid from the centre is in that closes at the end of the month. While the city didn’t commit to funding, unanimous support from council for city administration to work with the centre on feasibility and facility development will allow an extension on that bid Dubec said.
“I believe that they (The Prosvita) are willing to work with us to extend that closing date,” she said.”
Coun. Aldo Ruberto said supporting the idea shows that the city is investing in its youth.
“It’s the direction we should be going,” he said. “It’s time.”
And while he was also in support, Coun. Ken Boshcoff wanted to make sure that the city would in fact only be looking to fund 25 per cent of the total project as stated. All told, the entire project would come in over $10 million.
“What are the chances of us being stuck as the sole funder and supporter of this,” he asked.
But city manager Tim Commisso said the project wouldn’t move ahead without funding from the friendship centre and senior levels of government.
A full report is expected back to council before Oct. 31.
