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Oakville Youth Centre on the move to Glen Abbey by David Lea Oakville Beaver Staff 3 | Friday, June 26, 2015 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com The Oakville Youth Centre, currently located at 177 Cross Ave., is one step closer to finding a new home north of the QEW. On Monday, the Town's Administrative Services Committee approved a lease agreement for the centre at 1131 Nottinghill Gate. It heads to council for final approval Monday, June 29. The 1,500-square-foot centre, operated by the Town, opened on Cross Avenue in 2001 and features a large open multi-use area, a computer lab, a small kitchen and a staff office. Town staff said it provides a place for youths to socialize and features drop-in programs, workshops and special events for youths. As Oakville's first youth centre, the facility initially attracted large numbers of youth, but over the last two years attendance has declined. Staff attribute the decline to a demographic shift in the neighbourhood. The facility's lease will also expire Nov. 30 and the property owner wants to redevelop the site. The Town's 2012 Parks, Recreation and Library Master Plan identified the need for a youth centre north of the QEW. Town staff began looking at the Nottinghill Gate location as an alternate location. "The Nottinghill Gate location satisfies these criteria offering 2,400 square feet and is positioned in a visible commercial location close to a large residential area that demonstrates a strong demographic cohort of youth and children," said Tricia Lewis, Senior Manager, Recreation Services in a report to the committee. "It is also situated within walking distance of three elementary schools and two secondary schools and is on a public transportation route." Ward 5 Town and Regional Councillor Jeff Knoll found the Cross Avenue site for the centre back in 2001 and worked with property owners to negotiate its lease. He had mixed feelings about the impending move. "It was a real difficult thing to find a space in town that anyone would accept. It was something residents and even some councillors didn't necessarily want in their neighbourhood. They were afraid of what `them darn youth' were going to do," said Knoll. "The Cross Avenue location was awesome because it was and still is to this day a nexus point of all our transit routes, at least on the east side of town. I do understand the need to move on, particularly with the development plans for that area, but I do have a concern. How did you determine the new location as opposed to something more central in North Oakville?" Knoll voiced concerns that youth from Ward 5 and 6 may have difficulty getting to the facility once it is moved. He said this is a problem as there is a large number of youth in these wards with little to do. Town staff said there was little choice when it came to available commercial space, which fit the criteria they were looking for. The Oakville Youth Centre is currently scheduled to be fully operational at 1131 Nottinghill Gate in January 2016. inside today's Editorial Artscene Beaver www.insideHALTON.com 6 32 Sports Classified 35 38 Holland Park Garden Real Estate Pandora Canada New Homes Best of the Region For our clients, their guests, and prospective clients Director of Oakville Galleries Lunch, Learn & Enjoy Matthew Hyland Presents *All flyers not necessarily delivered to all homes For home delivery & customer service call 905-631-6095, 5300 Harvester Rd., Burlington New subscriptions call 905-631-6095 or subscribe online @ www.oakvillebeaver.com What Am I Looking At?! A STEP BEYOND IN CARE Do you have: Salima Kassam Reg. Chiropodist Understanding Contemporary Art in Context Tuesday, July 7, 2015 12 pm · 1 pm Holiday Inn, 590 Argus Road, Oakville (Southwest of Trafalgar Road and the QEW) · Foot/Arch Pain? · Ingrown Toenails? · Diabetes? · Swollen Ankles? · Corns, Calluses? Call for an appointment 905-632-1414 RSVP (905) 842-2100 Ext. 2 info@peterwatsoninvestments.com 728 Burloak Drive www.footandhealthclinic.com Don't Compromise on Driver Training upComing Courses July 6, 7, 8, 9 4 Days 9:30 am to 3:30 pm July 20, 21, 22, 23 4 Days 9:30 am to 3:30 pm August 4, 5, 6, 7 4 Days 9:30 am to 3:30 pm Located in Downtown Oakville for over 25 years! www.drivewiseoakville.com 905-845-7200