New PCYC Walgett a ‘one stop safe place’ for the community

A new $7.5 million Police Citizen’s Youth Club has been officially opened in the northern NSW town of Walgett.

The new facility - a joint project between the NSW Government, PCYC NSW and Walgett Shire Council - was opened last Wednesday by Governor-General His Excellency General the Honourable David Hurley AC DSC (Retd), who also opened the former PCYC Walgett club in 2015 when he was Governor of NSW.

Advising that the new multi-purpose hub will provide first class sport and recreational facilities and social activities like dances and film nights, PCYC NSW Chief Executive, Dominic Teakle stated “Walgett PCYC will collaborate with Walgett Shire Council and other government and non-government organisations to support youth programs.

“The club will support police to engage positively with young people in line with the RiseUp strategy, and allow agencies to provide a one stop safe place for all community members to gather and feel supported.”

NSW Upper House MP Sam Farraway said the multi-function facility would be a great asset for Walgett’s 2,000-strong community providing a hub for local youth and people of all ages.

Farraway noted “this PCYC is a model for the future offering sports, recreation and social activities as well as a working laundry and car wash to provide business and marketing experience for young people while supporting club income.

“The 1,800 metre² club is established on a 3,500 metre² Crown land block including car parking and gardens to provide a centrepiece for the community.”

The new Walgett PCYC includes:

• Air-conditioned indoor multi-purpose sports court for basketball, netball, futsal, badminton, and volleyball;

• Multi-purpose activity space for gymnastics, trampolining, climbing, ninja monkey bars, and parkour;

• Fully functional gym with weights;

• Youth hub area for young people to meet, play table tennis, listen to music and play computer games; and

• Green features, including rainwater collection and purification, and solar panels

• Social enterprise with car and caravan washing facilities to provide work, and business and marketing experience for young people

Funding for the club has been provided by the NSW Government, with contributions from Regional NSW and the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment - Crown Lands, and $450,000 from Walgett Shire Council.

Click here for more information on the RiseUp strategy.

Images: Interior of the new PCYC Walgett (top), local school children at the opening (middle) and (below, from left) PCYC NSW Chief Executive, Dominic Teakle; Her Excellency Mrs Linda Hurley, PCYC Walgett Club Manager, Amanda Cheal and Governor-General David Hurley.