The opening of Bradford’s new youth recreation centre at Lions Park is anticipated to be just around the corner, and staff are getting ready.
Council approved a new user policy ahead of the opening thanks to a report from Jen Kinsella, town records and information management coordinator, during its April 2 meeting.
The policy is intended to “provide direction to create a positive, safe and welcoming space for the youth of the community to gather,” Kinsella said in the report.
With a grand opening anticipated for sometime in May, the centre is set to feature a lounge with couches, board games, ping pong and foosball; a computer lab with work stations and gaming computers; and cooking and nutrition, homework support, resume building and interview prep programming. It'll also host social events like movie, trivia, and sports nights.
“We’re expecting this centre to be very, very collaborative with the users,” Terry Foran director of community services said. “They’re going to assist us in developing what their program looks like and what they want to see out of us as the staff.”
While that is expected to include some structured programming, Foran clarified that the centre is mainly intended to have a drop-in nature, meaning youth can come and go at times that work for them.
True to its name, the centre will have a clear focus on youth, with the policy stating anyone attending and participating in the centre’s programming is expected to be between grades 7 and 12 with a maximum age of 18, after which participants will be able to continue using the centre until the September following their 18th birthday.
With the exception of taking tours or interacting with customer service, parents and guardians will not be present within the centre, according to the policy.
“It’s a great facility for kids,” Ward 2 Coun. Jonathan Scott said. “This is youth led. There will be adults there to make sure everything goes well and to play a mentoring role, but it’s their space to design.”
Town staff and volunteers are still expected to oversee the centre and enforce policies by confirming the age of participants, who will need to sign in and out, as well asking those not following the policy to leave, or if necessary contacting the police.
Staff, volunteers and participants are expected to treat each other respectfully.
Internet access will be provided at the centre, but the town’s network will block any websites deemed harmful or inappropriate, and users are expected to be respectful and follow any applicable laws while using the centre.
Smoking and vaping is banned under the policy along with use of illegal drugs or alcohol.
Foran also clarified that while exterior surveillance cameras are standard practice for town facilities and planned to be added in future, the youth centre isn’t expected to include interior cameras.
While the policy approved Tuesday evening is specific to users, Foran confirmed existing town policies already cover hiring and training practices, including background checks for staff and volunteers.
In the 2023 budget, council approved $290,000 to convert the swimming change rooms at the Lions building into the new youth centre.
That work began in the fall and follows previous upgrades including the new basketball courts which can be flooded in the winter to create outdoor ice rinks.
Ward 4 Coun. Joseph Giordano wanted to know if the Youth Lounge at the BWG Leisure Centre would continue to operate after the new centre opens, and while Foran said he hopes to keep the lounge open, staff will need to wait and see how it goes.
— With files from Patrick Bales
