Highlands Youth Hub opening announced
The long-awaited Highlands Youth Hub will officially be opened to the public on Friday, 29 November after many months of renovation.
The centre will officially be opened by the Mayor, Councillor Juliet Arkwright, with a ceremony to begin at 2pm. This will be followed by First Call from 3.30pm until 8pm, a free event for local youth to celebrate the new facility, with a range of fun activities including Aboriginal art workshops, a pool competition, Wii games, sporting games with local police, concert, free barbecue and more.
Council’s Youth Liaison Facilitator Michelle Williams said the new facility would provide a “one stop shop” for youth services and activities in the region.
“The renovations have transformed the former Loseby Youth Centre into a fantastic space for young people to get together, as well as an important venue to host youth services, programs and events,” she said.
“Updated facilities include a commercial-style kitchen, a covered outdoor space, meeting rooms, a digital editing suite and computer lab with free Wi-Fi, group rooms, offices and a medical consulting room.”
The renovations included revamping the original building, as well as constructing a brand new outbuilding and refurbishing of the adjoining hall.
Youth workers will be on site at the Hub five days per week, offering a range of programs to young people and their parents. Council’s Youth Liaison Facilitator will also be based at the Hub part time.
The Youth Hub project kicked off in May this year, and was the result of extensive community consultation and collaboration between Highlands Community Centre, local community organisations, Wingecarribee Shire Council and the state government.
The Hub has been designed with youth input, and a Youth Hub Advisory Group consisting of young people from Bowral High School, Moss Vale High School and Chevalier College was facilitated by the Highlands Community Centre and Council to allow for hands-on involvement in the centre’s development and continued growth.
Highlands Community Centres already have a lease agreement in place to run a range of services from the Hub, and other service providers are currently in negotiations with council.