New Undercurrent Youth Centre coming together in Sydney

A youth centre based in Glace Bay, N.S., has begun renovations for a second centre in nearby Sydney.

Undercurrent is expanding its successful operation to the former Salvation Army building on Prince Street.

The building, most recently, wasthe corporate headquarters of community development group, New Dawn Enterprises.

Undercurrent's expansion was announced this summer when it bought the Sydney building.

A safe place

"Our goal is to be open sevendays a week," executive director Dave Sawler said.

"It took us a few years to get our centre in Glace Bay to that point.

"It will be a spot that will be open to kids in the evenings, on the weekends, just to have a safe place in Sydney."

Sawler said the Salvation Army building is a perfect fit for their needs

"Agreat location downtown; it's a place where we want to be right on transit route, easy to get to but also we were looking for a spot that wasn't super expensive to run," Sawler said.

"We're a charity and we have to pay for everything."

Lots to do

The Sydney location will provide facilities similar to those in Glace Bay.

"We wanted a space that we can have for sports, recreation, but can also be used for gatherings, music and other functions," Sawler said.

The building's former multi-purpose room will featurea rock climbing wall, skateboarding, scooters and a pool table.

Donations of equipment or money from the community would be welcome, he said.

"We need everything from furniture to pool tables, Ping-Pong tables, air hockey tables, skateboarding equipment and sound and lighting for music programs."

Sawlersaid renovationswill be completed in phases, with the upstairs section opening after Christmas.