Youth playing video games inside of the Turning Point Youth Centre (Elliott Knopp/meadowlakeNOW Staff)

By Elliott Knopp

TPYC Funding

Turning Point Youth Centre receiving upgrades with donations from local organizations

May 19, 2021 | 5:17 PM

The Turning Point Youth Centre (TPYC) is receiving significant upgrades following generous contributions from other local organizations.

The TPYC was recently awarded a $2,500 grant from the Meadow Lakes Parks and Recreation Board after the board was given funding from Sask Lotteries. The grant was intended to go toward acquiring hockey gear for the youth centre’s rec room, but the Door of Hope stepped in and supplied the non-profit with the equipment.

Parks and Recreation manager Regan Beck stated the non-profit has a large impact on youth in the community, which led to the board increasing the youth centre’s $1,200 request to $2,500.

“It’s a fantastic place where kids can go to a safe environment, socialize with their friends and be in a place where they can feel welcome,” Beck stated.

“The rec board really looked positive upon their application. It seems like every time I drive by that place, the ‘sorry, we’re at full capacity’ sign is out because they have that many kids interested in going there. When COVID has passed, I expect that it will be even more so. We’re happy to support them in any way we can.”

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TPYC executive director Belinda Martin said she consulted with the rec board in regards to the state of the grant as the application stated the funding would be directed toward hockey gear, and the rec board allowed the youth centre to retain the funding so it could be used toward other items.

“As soon as [the kids] saw [the equipment], they were so excited about it. It’s really good quality, a really good brand, so they’re really excited about it. It’s cool when an organization that runs off of donations can donate to other organizations,” Martin explained.

She mentioned the youth have been appreciative of the kind gestures from other local organizations, adding some of the additional funding has been used to purchase COVID-friendly activities.

“We’ve been able to spend it on outdoor games because they’re more COVID-friendly. We’ve got a ton of different lawn games and tabletop games. Because it’s a parks and rec grant, we want to buy active games that encourage exercise. We have basketballs, footballs and supplies for craft programming.”

Martin claimed the leftover funding hasn’t been allocated yet as she is consulting with the youth to learn how they feel it should be used. She mentioned the youth centre is also looking at implementing multicultural programming.

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elliott.knopp@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @ElliottKnopp