Cooma’s youth centre, The Hub, has officially re-opened after undergoing a few months of refurbishment.
The official ceremony took place at the premises in Vale Street last Friday morning.
Member for Eden-Monaro Mike Kelly, who was also representing Parliamentary Secretary for Infrastructure and Regional Development, Maxine McKew, officially opened the centre.
The Federal Government provided more than $48,000 to the Cooma-Monaro Shire Council to upgrade the Cooma Youth Centre.
“The Hub is a popular hangout spot for local youth in the Cooma area and this project will ensure the important contribution it makes to the community will continue,” Dr Kelly said.
“This project involved upgrading the centre, to improve the building’s safety, enhance outdoor activities, and improve internal heating.
Specific works included the purchase and installation of an external steel staircase and internal wooden staircase, the provision of heating to the first level of the Youth Centre, and landscaping of the backyard area.
As a result of this project, The Hub will be able to provide a greater range of indoor and outdoor activities and increase the number of co-located youth services, so young people in the area will have improved access to youth specific information and referral services.
On average there are more than 60 young people per week who access the Youth Centre and it is anticipated that this number will grow once all programs are up and running.”
Through Dr Kelly, Ms McKew thanked the Cooma-Monaro Shire Council, the NSW Government and YMCA Sydney for supporting The Hub’s upgrade.
“This project is an excellent example of Australian, State and Local Governments, industry, and the community working together to benefit regions into the future,” he said.
“Of equal importance, four full-time jobs were supported during construction of this project, representing a great boost for the local economy.
“I congratulate everyone involved for their support in helping deliver this project that is helping build a strong Cooma region for future generations to enjoy”, Dr Kelly said.
