Youth in and around Cold Lake will have a place to call their own, after the Cold Lake and District FCSS opens The Loft.
Since 2014, the Cold Lake and District FCSS have been trying to fill the gap for programming offered to youth ages 13 to 17.
This year, their dream of creating a safe space for youth in the Cold Lake area has come true, with the opening of The Loft.
“Up until this point, we were using the classrooms for all of our child and youth programming, which for programming-wise, it was great. We just really wanted a more youth friendly and inviting place that the kids can make their own and be proud of to come to,” explained Ada Papiernik, child and youth program facilitator for Cold Lake and District FCSS.
With the opening of their youth centre, they will be able to expand their programming, while continuing to offer the activities the community has grown to love and enjoy.
“We were finding that when youth were coming, they were almost uncomfortable in the classroom setting because it looked like a school setting. This space will allow us to have programming like paint nights, movie nights, photography courses, a publishing course, we’re trying to pull in all of these things that 13 to 17-year-olds would enjoy with those programs,” Papiernik expressed. “It’s learning skills while being in a safe place and giving them something to do. There are lots of things to do in the community, but if you’re not in sports or in certain other clubs, there really isn’t too much for them to do. We’re just trying to fill the gap of programming for those ages and offer them a new skillset and interest."
Although their centre is located in Cold Lake, Papiernik stressed their programming was open to everyone, regardless of where they're from.
“FCSS is all about being inclusive, and anyone that can make it here, it really doesn’t matter where you’re coming from, if you can make it here, that’s really all that matters. It gives youth a chance to meet different people too, which is great."
The Loft will be used strictly for programming, and includes a movie theatre, kitchen, and recreational space.
So far, kids utilizing the youth centre have loved it, especially those who have taken part in the programming before.
“We started using the space July 3, and it’s a great new space to have our programming in. It’s a bit more relaxed up there,” Papiernik detailed.
In order to celebrate years of hard work paying off, they will be hosting a grand opening on Wednesday July 11.
From 9 a.m until noon, the public is invited to tour the centre, check out the programming, and ask questions.
Papiernik said, "It’s really just a chance to check out the space. We will be telling people about the programming we will have… It’s a casual drop-in for the community to see the space."
As they continue to polish off the finishing touches, Papiernik said the kids' enthusiasm only continues to grow.
“As we’re adding new stuff each day, they’re excited to see what’s coming in,” she continued. “We wanted to make it more youth-friendly. The kids don’t care too much because they’re more into the programming, but for the older youth, we’re trying to target more programming for the 13 to 17-year-olds,”
