Youth centre dream dashed
YOUNG people’s hopes and dreams were destroyed this week after a £4.9m bid to rebuild a youth centre failed.
Managers of West Durham Youth Resource based at Glenholme youth centre in Crook revealed an application to the Government’s My Place scheme had been rejected.
It is the second multi-million pound grant they have unsuccessfully applied for in the past two years and the youths are said to be utterly devastated.
Ian Lyle, chairman of the centre, said: “The young people had played a key role in deciding what they wanted and where everything would go if we got it, now their hopes and dreams have been dashed.
“Their aspirations had been built up by now they have been destroyed, especially when you consider we are already living in an area deprived of services.”
Centre manager Cliff Britton said: “It’s a real pity for the young people because for the amount of work they’ve put into this application, to have it knocked back when we had believed it would be successful leaves a bitter taste in the mouth.”
The centre – built in 1964 – is struggling to cope with the number of youths it currently attracts.
The boxing academy is close to full and other projects including the Duke of Edinburgh awards, drop-in, sexual diseases screening and drug awareness are running at maximum capacity.
With an estimated further 2,000 children set to arrive in Crook with the development of about 500 new homes, Mr Lyle said the situation would get worse.
He said: “We’ll carry on doing the best we can with the limited facilities we have but what we want and need is a world class youth facility in Crook and this was our chance to get it.”
Mr Britton said: “Our structure is full to bursting.
“It’s no wonder young people are disillusioned and on the periphery of crime, without projects like this there is nothing for them.”
Crook county councillor and centre committee member Eddie Murphy said: “This was going to be very positive but now we’re all disappointed.
“Everyone, from the police and NHS to the college and schools were in absolute favour of this. If we can fit in all these activities in this small place imagine what we could have done with a new build.”
The committee is now looking at future projects. Mr Lyle said: “This won’t stop us, this is just another hurdle for us.”