After youth programming was identified as a need in the community of Miami, Tina Waldner and another couple decided to do what it took to put something in place to create a youth centre, especially following a difficult time during the Pandemic. The R.M. of Thompson had put out a newsletter looking for needs in the community last year to use grant money they had available, Waldner responded identifying the need for a youth centre, noting they would be able to set up the programming and volunteers, the biggest need for the project would be a space to house the youth centre.
Waldner, and another organizer, presented to council their plan and request for space, and at that time, understood the use of the Friendship Centre/senior centre would soon be available, and they would be able to use it for a year, and then it would be reassessed, because the R.M. might want to sell the building. A short time after this, according to Waldner, the offer disappeared, and other factors came into play such as the fire in the Blair Sharpe Active Living Centre days before the grand opening.
Waldner said they were able to work out a plan that worked really well with the Senior Centre to use the building two nights a week. One night for junior high, grades 7-8 kids, and another for high school kids, grades 9-12. Programming began in October and November 2022. Waldner received an email from the R.M. reminding them the building may go up for sale in Spring 2023. Waldner then went as a delegation to council on December 15th, and presented a letter asking a number of questions.
"How much time do we have in this building? What happened to the year? Can we please purchase this building, if you want to sell it? Please, give us a price. We would love the opportunity to buy it. It's an amazingly perfect space for this. We would love to have it, if you don't want to sell. Can we cover all the costs of operating it, if you want to maintain ownership? So, we presented all these options in an e-mail and in person."
Waldner shared the response she just received, "We just found out this week that's not the way it's going to go. It's fresh news for us. So, we're just kind of trying to figure out our next move, I guess."
When asked about the kids they have been working with since fall, her spirit quickly lifted.
"We organize activities and games, and I would say 100% of the time, they are all in. They're just so receptive. They're so respectful. They're just such an amazing group. They appreciate everything so much. We provide snacks for them and usually pizza and drinks, and we give them free time if they want free time, but I tell you 100% of the time, they'll take the organized activities that we do together as a group. It's amazing to see because we see kids who are a little bit more techie mixed with the kids who are more athletic, maybe the kids who typically kind of keep to themselves and they all join in and they all do this together. And our hearts are just full. They are an amazing group."
She shared feedback she received from a parent.
"We've heard positive feedback. Like three weeks into running the program, a mom came to me, and I know I'm gonna tear up here, but a mom came to me, and said how much it changed her daughter's life already. She had come out of her shell completely. She was back to her bubbly, energetic self again, because it's been a rough few years for these youth. And so, she was just so grateful to see her daughter back," said Waldner as she teared up and her voice quivered, "And you know, in that moment, that is exactly why we're volunteering all these hours, and putting all this hard work in. And that's the exact reason right there, you know?"
Waldner admitted they will need to figure out a plan for storage for the amazing donations that poured in once word got out the centre had been started. They have received a 55" TV and Bluetooth speaker, they have foosball, air hockey and ping pong tables they were looking forward to setting up.
She added, after the end of May, when they were asked by the R.M. to be out of the building, they will do their best to run outdoor activities, and hopes by fall to have a plan in place for a home for the Miami Youth Centre, named the Trax, after the railroad that runs by their community.
"We're seeing 30-40 kids a week. It's just an amazing group. We're just loving it, and we're just so thankful we've had the time, so far, to just see, and also to reinforce the fact, there is such a great need. That confirms what we thought all along, and so that's great. That's also given us the push to not give up."
The R.M. of Thompson submitted this statement regarding the Friendship Centre/senior centre regarding the request for the Youth Centre to be out of the building by the end of May.
"Council for the RM of Thompson support all community programming, and we recognize the value and importance of having programming in place for all of our residents, including our youth. The newly formed Youth Centre Board made arrangements with the Friendship Centre Board to utilize space within their current building, to provide programming until construction on the new Blair Sharpe Active Living Centre was completed. Once occupancy has been granted, the municipality will assume ownership of the Friendship Centre on June 1st, 2023. The priority of Council at this time is to assess the structural integrity and potential safety concerns of the building, prior to making any decisions regarding the future use of that facility."
