The Back Door Youth for Christ drop-in center in Carman has completed the 4000-square foot expansion to its current space.
"We are so excited to functioning, running programming out of our new facility," said Director Tyler Friesen. "We just got in there a week and a half ago and we've run several programs out of there already. The space has been amazing! It's functioning exactly as we would have dreamed it would. It just feels like a dream to be in there!" .
The project included renovations to the interior and exterior of the building.
"We took our previous drop-in center and it got completely gutted right back to studs, [getting] new electrical, plumbing, everything. And we also added on a fairly substantial expansion. I think the expansion is almost 4400 square feet."
The building contains a number of new features.
"A 40 by 60 gym space, which the kids are loving, having a spot for volleyball and basketball, stuff like that all inside. Some of the other features include a large commercial kitchen, bathrooms, storage, offices that fit our needs. Making the building completely accessible now too we did wheelchair ramps at the front and the back, then lots of accessibility features inside the building as well."
How do the town's youth feel about the new space?
"Our first group in there was a grade four and five group after school. They came in with their mouths hanging wide open and like, whoa! This space is for us? This is crazy blah blah blah, right? The feedback's been amazing. They seem to really love the sapce, they think it's phenomenal, they think it's beautiful. Some of them can't really quite believe that the space is for them, which is great."
It was important that everyone would be able to use the space, feel like it was built for them, be comfortable in it and feel at home said Friesen.
Friesen says the community's incredible support tells him that people have caught the vision for a place where students can feel welcome, cared for and safe. Over $1.5M has been raised towards the project so far, the bulk coming through private donations from businesses and individuals.
"We're in the 250 to. $300,000 range to get it all paid off So we'd love to take care of that sooner than later, not have it hanging over our heads. But we're close. On a $1.8 million project we're not too far out."
Donations can be made by contacting Friesen at the center.
With files from Robyn Wiebe
