The youth of Innisfail have received a post-Christmas present with their new Youth Programming Facility.
More than 75 people came through the doors on Jan. 31 to tour and check out the bright, airy remodelled facility, the former Parkland Community Church, at 4136 -49th Ave.
It is now home to the youth art program, the youth community kitchen, youth babysitting courses, the Home Alone course as well as the Boys & Girls Club/Side Door program.
Special guests Kerry Towle, Innisfail-Sylvan Lake MLA, and Gavin Bates, Innisfail deputy mayor, were onstage to cut the ribbon to officially open the facility.
ìWe had a great evening,î said Tammy Oliver-McCurdie, manager of Family Community Support Services. ìThere was interest expressed at all levels with some new registrations for programs, we found new volunteers, and Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Innisfail garnered questions too.î
Oliver-McCurdie noted that 18 youths and their parents were very involved in decorating the building. She said they primed, painted, and hand-palmed the walls downstairs over two days.
ìIt is now their place,î she said.
The community came together to support the facility by stepping up to the plate with donations, added Oliver-McCurdie.
ìLaebon donated couches, table sets and chairs, while Cloverdale Paints, Dulux, and Chinook Painting and Restoration supplied all our paint and supplies. Home Hardware gave us great prices on items we needed to fix our new facility while Parkland Church gave us kitchen items. We had many individual donors step up as well, and we are very grateful,î she said.
The Boys & Girls Club/Side Door program of Olds unveiled its programming to enthusiastic youth who showed up to try out the foosball table and board games.
Oliver-McCurdie said there are presently 46 youths registered for the Side Door program.
She said programming will run Wednesdays from 6 to 8:30 p.m. and two Fridays every month.
ìParticipation in the Side Door program is very youth safety oriented,î said Oliver-McCurdie. ìKids must register to enter the building and cannot leave while the program runs. They must again sign out upon leaving so parents and supervisors know they have left.
ìWe are there to make sure they are safe and secure,î she said. ìOur supervisors are qualified and knowledgeable. That's what makes this program work.î
Hours of operation at the Youth Programming Facility will depend upon event scheduling and will be posted on the FCSS website and the front door. Interested parents and youth can call the office at 403-227-7744 for further information.
