24/06/07 - New Youth Facility Planned

New Youth Facility Planned

Swindon Conservative Councillors have voted for the creation of a £1m new Town Centre youth facility at the former Railway Museum.  Opposition from the Labour MP and a Central ward Labour Councillor was ignored.

With the former Railway Museum in need of repair and a sustainable long-term use, it is an ideal opportunity for the Youth Service and Plus One to take possession of this building.  Swindon's Youth Service desperately needs an easily identifiable and accessible location in the Town Centre of Swindon.  The proposed location like this would enable young people of Swindon to be able to identify where they can fulfil their past time requirements in a positive and constructive way in a safe environment.

The increase in the facilities and events on offer will allow the engagement of more young people within the Borough helping to stop the Youth of Swindon becoming disaffected.  With the works due to be carried out and the continuous occupation the building will again become a feature within Swindon and will be kept in the condition it should for such a historic building entrenched deeply in Swindon's history.  This offers not only the opportunity to make this a flagship building for The Youth Service but for Swindon Borough Council as well.

I am extremely pleased that we will be delivering these proposed superb youth facilities in the town centre.  As a ward Councillor in Abbey Meads I have seen what a positive, tangible benefit a youth facility (The Underground, Northern Orbital) can make for local children.  Once again it is the Conservatives who are investing in front line services, helping improve Swindon for all ages.