Shane Love MLA for Moore and Mayor Shane Van Styn officially open the Mullewa Youth Centre.

The popular Mullewa Youth Centre has officially reopened its doors after being closed for four months to allow for an extensive refurbishment of the building and make improvements to the surrounding precinct.

City of Greater Geraldton Mayor Shane Van Styn said the long list of much needed works wouldn’t have been possible to complete without support from Lotterywest.

“The City’s project budget focused on the building itself and included upgrades to internal and external walls, roof and gutters and the existing toilets along with the installation of new flooring, air conditioning, kitchen cabinets, doors, windows, security screens and disabled access and an ambulant toilet,” he said.

“Thanks to a Lotterywest grant we were also able to make much needed improvements to the grounds and facilities surrounding the Youth Centre including the installation of mini AFL goals, fencing and reticulation along with resurfacing of the basketball court, replacement of skate park shade shelters and seating, skate park upgrades and landscaping.”

According to Mayor Van Styn, the refurbishment of the highly frequented Centre was the community’s top priority.

“Last year there were more than 7500 individual visits by young people from Mullewa as well as the surrounding areas of Yalgoo and Pia Wadjari,” he said.

“The Centre is open 35 hours a week after school and on Saturdays but during the four school holiday periods the Centre is open 48 hours per week to provide important diversionary activities for youth.

“Which is why the refurbishment of the Centre was identified as the number one priority for Mullewa in the 10 Year Capital Works Plan Community Panel in 2013.”

The Centre, which is largely funded by the Department for Child Protection and Family Services, offers a variety of recreational and sporting activities and a range of programs around music, healthy cooking, basketball including the Dismantle Bike and School Holiday programs.

The $326,709 project was jointly funded with Lotterywest contributing $176,709 and the City $150,000.