Hobart’s youth will once again have a space to call their own when the Youth Arts and Recreation Centre (Youth ARC) reopens its doors in the coming months.
Work has started on the restoration of the Youth ARC, which is expected to return to full programing in early 2020.
The centre, located within the City Hall building, was badly damaged during last year’s flood event, with most internal fixtures and equipment destroyed.
Community Culture and Events Committee Chair Cr Bill Harvey said the centre was a much-loved venue for Hobart’s young people.
“On any given day, there could be up to 80 or 90 young people using the drop-in service, plus there were regular programs and events that engaged our city’s youth in positive activities,’ Cr Harvey said.
“While our youth services team has done a fantastic job in providing services from alternative venues, it’s important to have a space dedicated to young people. We are very much looking forward to having the centre back up and running as a base for the City’s youth services.”
Construction started this week is expected to take about two months, with fitout to be completed by the end of the year.
Major works include levelling and relaying of floors, repairs to walls, reinstatement of the stage and sports infrastructure, and plumbing improvements. In addition, a new entrance fronting Market Place will be created and a new internal layout will provide space for a café area to be added
Cr Harvey said young people would have the opportunity to put their own touches on the finished product.
“The old centre included art that had been created by young people and it was heartbreaking to see that destroyed,” he said. “As part of the restoration, we’ll be inviting young people to decorate the centre with murals and other artworks. This is their space – it’s important that they have a hand in creating it.”
