A SURVEY of young people in Warrington revealed that 54 per cent of them would like a youth club in the town centre – and 28 per cent of them regarded “hanging out” and chatting with friends as their favourite free time activity.
But 84 per cent of them did not visit the Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Young People’s Peace Centre and 26 per cent of them did not even know where it was or what they could do there.
More than 40 per cent said it was too far for them to travel to.
The survey was carried out by IMPACT – the Warrington Youth Council – and involved about 200 young people.
Results were gathered at a number of locations and events in the town centre, Lymm, Culcheth and at the town’s Youth Carnival.
They have been presented to borough council scrutiny chiefs as part of a working group review of “Things to Do and Places to Go” for Young People.
As a result of the expressed wish for a town centre youth provision, the council has looked at potential premises in Bridge Street, Market Gate and Crown Street.
Annual cost of rent, rates, etc vary from just under £20,000 a year to more than £167,000 a year.
The working group has looked briefly into available funding for youth provision allocated by central government and discovered that £189,000 is available for Warrington.
But money could also be available from other sources.
Working group members are recommending the council improve communication on youth facilities and how funding might be obtained and promote web-sites highlighting things to do and places to go for young people.
They want the council to consider the possibility of a town centre youth provision and investigate transport routes linking young people across the borough.
The report says comments received from youth people during the survey suggest that as the new town centre develops, consideration should be given to how young people will have a positive place in it.
