Youth Development Centre for Kāpiti a step closer

A youth centre for Kāpiti came a step closer today with the Environmental and Community Development Committee (ECD) approving a recommended business model to proceed with.

A report to the committee detailed the results of an extensive investigation by a community advisory group into various business models run in other centres. The team looked at over a dozen youth centres run in a variety of ways around the country from council-controlled organisations centres to centres run by specialist youth development organisations as incorporated charitable trusts.

Independent Consultant, Keryn Martin told councillors gone are the days when youth centres consisted of ”dirty old couches and a table tennis or pool table in a hall.” He said today’s modern youth centres are about developing youth, recognising youth culture is ever changing and that the youth of today are a “sight and sound” generation.

The report recommended council opt for a centre run by an established incorporated trust. It said such entities provide strong strategic governance, effective administration, a defined purpose, proven track record and have access to funding not available to council. In addition, these organisations, it said, could run a centre more cheaply than Council.

The committee accepted the recommendation and authorised the project team to proceed with the next steps.

Committee chair Councillor Penny Gaylor commended the project team on its thorough work.

“I have a sense we are proceeding with this venture on a very sound footing and I commend the project team, including chair Tony Kane and members of the Youth Council, for a very extensive and thorough process to bring us to this point.” 

In the 2012 long term plan council resolved to bring forward the development of a youth development centre from 2022/23 to 2014/15. Provision has been made in the draft long term plan for a capital cost of $250,000 and annual operating costs of $265,750.

Agreement reached over future use of Maclean Park kiosk

The refurbished kiosk at Maclean Park is likely to be used in future by Kāpiti Island tour operators and other community groups who run activities compatible with the reserve status of the land.

Council’s Environment and Community Development Committee (ECD) today agreed to the combined-use arrangement recommended by the Paraparaumu-Raumati Community Board after wide consultation with the community.

The Committee also agreed to extend the existing lease with Kapiti Island Nature Tours until 31 August and in the meantime to run an expression of interest process to identify suitable community groups to occupy the kiosk with the tourism operators.

Committee chair Councillor Penny Gaylor said the decision was a good outcome but would need some negotiation and management.

"Users will have to be compatible and work out between themselves how they would use the combined space. It’s not a large area and will need to be carefully managed,” she said.