Community Youth Hubs are coming to Brampton – what will they look like?
The Voice of Chandigarh News:
According to 2016 census data, there are 130,600 young people ages 14 to 29 in Canada’s ninth largest city of Brampton, making this community one of the youngest in the country. Through research and engagement, our community has made it clear that Brampton’s youth need their own focused spaces.
Now, the City of Brampton is creating two dedicated Community Youth Hubs – one at Century Gardens Recreation Centre and the other within South Fletcher’s Sportsplex.
What will these spaces look like?
According to Yvonne Sinniah, the City of Brampton’s Manager, Strategic Community Development and Program Partnerships, and COVID-19 Youth Support Task Force Lead, it’s up to Brampton’s youth.
“We’re undergoing a thorough consultation process with residents and stakeholders to design and implement these new youth hubs,” said Sinniah. “This process will help inform important decisions like whether the spaces will be open on weekends or weekdays, what services they will offer, and what they will look and feel like.”
Brampton’s young people now have the opportunity to inform the design process, providing their feedback on what they’d like to see at the hubs. Options for programming include professional development, recreational and creative activities, and special events. Hours could range from weekdays from 9 am to 5 pm, weekday evenings, weekends from 9 am to 5 pm, or weekend evenings. Finally, the hubs could include a variety of interior design features, such as lounge space set-ups comprised of large tables for groups, individual workspaces, and more.
With input from the City’s consultation process with residents and stakeholders, the design process will begin in Winter 2021. This is a part of the City’s Parks and Recreation Master Plan. Funding for the Youth Hubs will be provided through the City of Brampton 2020-2022 capital budget ($5.85M) and Region of Peel 2020 capital budget ($6.0M).
Here is how residents can get involved in shaping what Brampton Community Youth Hubs will look like.
“We need to know what Brampton’s youth think belongs in these spaces,” said Harkirat Singh, City Councillor, Wards 9 and 10, and Youth Support Task Force Co-Chair. “With young people ages 14 to 29, that could be a wide range of offerings to meet youth at every age and life stage along the way.”
“We encourage youth to sign up for a workshop, and we encourage everyone to take the survey to inform staff on how to design these spaces,” said Charmaine Williams, City Councillor, Wards 7 and 8, and Youth Support Task Force Co-Chair.
Youth Virtual Workshops
The City invites Brampton youth ages 14 to 29 to register for an online workshop and have their say on designing and programming the Community Youth Hubs. Youth can register for one of the following sessions:
• November 10 – 7 pm
• November 12 – 7 pm
• November 19 – 7 pm
Registration is now open. The first 50 participants at each workshop date will get a free Brampton Recreation pass, which can be used to attend a swim, skate or fitness program. All participants who attend a workshop will be entered to win an annual fitness membership. Register now at www.brampton.ca/recreation.
Online Questionnaire
All residents are invited to provide input on these youth spaces through an online questionnaire. All survey respondents will be entered into a draw to win a monthly fitness pass. To complete the questionnaire, visit www.brampton.ca/recreation.
