Since reopening its doors in late 2024, the Thames Youth Centre has been a hive of activity.
Board members Jacinda Karaitiana and Kesian Paymani said the response from the community since last year’s call for assistance has been substantial.
The Kirkwood St building underwent a renovation under the new board, after being closed for a year due to a lack of leadership. Now with a fresh coat of paint, new heat pumps, comfy sofas, a basketball hoop, and a wall-length mirror, the space is bright, airy, and perfect for youth-based activities.
And it has seen a lot of use already.
Kesian and Jacinda estimated the building has been booked an average of two times a week.
Among the groups making use of the space are local youth-focused clubs; youth workers and the families they work with; kapa haka groups; and various youth-oriented social organisations.
The centre has hosted cupcake making parties, an escape room, disco and karaoke events, and even a graduation dinner.
A Ngā Wai Tāpara Rangatahi graduation dinner was just one of the events the space has been used for.
“It’s quite a nice place. And it’s actually used by youth now,” Jacinda said.
“[And] it’s been used for personal development stuff – we’ve had training days and stuff here for people who work in this space as well.
“So, it’s been cool for that kind of thing.”
The youth centre’s board is also quite diverse now, Jacinda said, composed of seven community leaders with ties to various youth-related organisations and aspirations of making the centre a real hub for Thames’ young people.
The board is keen for youth-based groups to continue to reach out and make use of the space, Jacinda said.
“It’s just a good general neutral space that anyone could use if it’s to do with youth,” she said.
DETAILS: Contact the youth centre for more information or to enquire about the hall, email: thamesyouthcentre@gmail.com.
