Georgina
October 01, 2008 08:38 PM
John Slykhuis
The Sutton Youth Centre has been closed after mould was found by maintenance workers last week.
After-school programming has been moved to Sutton Public School, Jericho Youth Services executive director Shirley Woods said, extending her appreciation to principal Steve Young for making the facilities available.
“We can’t praise Steve enough. He certainly understands for needs of kids in our community,” she said.
Programs will be held from 3:45 to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday for children aged up to age 14.
The homework club and computer lab run Monday to Thursday, with gym activities such as volleyball, basketball, floorball and badminton in the gym.
Older teens are welcome to sign in as volunteers for the leadership training program.
Saturday events are cancelled.
One of the portapaks with its own entrance will be used as a base for programming, while other areas of the school that are not being used after school, including the computer room, gym and arts room, has been made available to Jericho, Mrs. Woods said.
“This is much better than we ever could have expected,” Mrs. Woods said.
Sutton Public School is moving to a new building beside Sutton District High School next year and there are negotiations under way with the school board to sell the old school to the town to convert it to a facility for community programming, including Jericho’s and as a site for a future skateboard park, Mayor Rob Grossi said.
“We started discussions with the school board when they announced they would be looking for a new location for Sutton Public,” he said. “If we can work through the details, the town would like to acquire that property. It would be a good addition to facilities that serve the public.”
Leisure services director Faye Richardson is preparing a report on the youth centre issue for council, he added.
“We’re assessing the situation. We appreciate the cooperation of the school board,” Mr. Grossi said.
He added York Region, which owns the former St. Bernadette Catholic School building that houses both the youth centre and emergency youth shelter, is doing a full assessment for health and safety issues. It is not yet known if Jericho will return to the former site.
Extensive renovations were done to the youth shelter portion of the building by the region and it is not affected, according to Ted Burley of the region’s community services and housing department. “It is business as usual,” he said.
For Jericho schedule information call 905-722-5540.