Richmond doesn’t have a space for youth to simply hang out together, so a group of teenagers are doing something about it.
Bonnie Hughes is a 15-year-old Waimea College student who chairs the Waimea Youth Council which is hoping to make an area in the CLM Richmond Aquatic Centre’s foyer into that space.
She says a youth space has been on the cards for years, but there hasn’t been an ideal place to create it.
Both the library and town hall don’t have the image that attracts teenagers, and the town doesn’t have a community hub, whereas the aquatic centre might just do the trick.
The youth council has made a submission on the council’s long-term plan to get support for a youth space for high-school students and the foyer at the aquatic centre has the added advantage of a gym and pool, with CLM supportive of the idea.
Mostly though, the aim is to simply have a place to hang out with others their own age in a place they are comfortable, she says.
“There’s a lot of youth who struggle to connect with their parents and maybe don’t have a great home life and need somewhere safe and comfortable to spend their time.”
While the youth council organising the space is “politically orientated”, Bonnie says it is intended for a mix of youth and will hopefully be up and running by the end of this year or the beginning of next year.
“This could be the hub to relax, and you can choose to go and do activities around you.”
Surveys at Waimea and Garin Colleges showed there was an interest in a youth space in Richmond.
Now, she says, they are keen to get suggestions from the community and turn the space into a reality.
