YMCA in pledge to families over expansion
FAMILIES have met with charity bosses to address concerns over multi-million pound plans to develop North Staffordshire's YMCA.
A private meeting was held at the Hanley venue last night so that residents could talk about the proposals for the specialist young people's centre.
The project – which will see the creation of a 21st century youth hub including a library, learning zone and sports and leisure facilities – will be funded by myplace, a scheme administered by Big Fund on behalf of the Department for Children, Schools and Families.
Building work has already started on the first phase of the new young people's centre in Harding Road.
It is expected to be completed by early summer 2010.
But a number of residents are concerned about the impact of the development on their quality of living.
North Staffordshire YMCA chief executive Danny Flynn, pictured below, told The Sentinel the private meeting had been organised in a bid to address people's issues.
He said: "This is all about community management and trying to allay fears.
"We understand that young people en mass cause older generations some concerns, but what we are trying to do here is create something brand new and wonderful which will reduce anti-social behaviour.
"We recognise that people have fears when change happens and we held an initial meeting a few weeks ago, inviting 300 residents.
"Around 30 came along and out of those 30 only four were vehemently opposed to the project."
Mr Flynn added: "There will be noise and dust inevitably because of the physical nature of the building work, but we will do everything we can to keep disruption to a minimum.
"We want to work together with the community and create a brilliant facility for young people."
Nurse Geraldine Casey, aged 54, who lives opposite the YMCA, said: "I'm a bit worried about the impact the development will have on the neighbourhood.
"When we moved here 28 years ago it was very pleasant, but I guess we've just got to get on with it.
"We've had letters about the building work, so the communication about what is going on has been good."
Dave Hyde, aged 27, who works as a ride host at Alton Towers, said: "The YMCA doesn't really bother me that much. Since the building work started, the drilling has been a bit annoying because it starts first thing in the morning, but development is happening everywhere these days so you have to learn to accept it."
Housewife Annette Haywood has lived in Harding Road for eight years and is supporting the development plans.
The 57-year-old said: "The development is trying to help young people so it has to be a positive thing. I can understand concerns about the noise but you've got to give young people a chance.
"We've never had any problems with the residents at the YMCA, only people visiting them".
4 Comments
by carly, stoke
Saturday, August 08 2009, 9:25AM
“i lived here, the worst 12 months of my life. everynight there was just a racket until about 4am then it would quieten down, not due to the building work but due to the scum they house in there blasting hardcore loud until the early hours, dorrs slamming, shouting and balling out of the windows, fire alarms going off constantly every other night! im glad i found a house of my own with my partner. i am a lot happier the YMCA did nothing for me!
in my opinion it is a place for basic skills chavs. they thought they were dead hards when they were 13/14 but now they are dullhards feeling all sorry for themselves.
i have no sympathy, i wasnt entrapped in YMCA's web they weave.”
by Natasha, Sydney
Friday, August 07 2009, 1:07AM
“I was a resident of the YMCA in the early 1990s, when I was 16 years old. A roof over my head and the support of staff and fellow residents helped me to qualify for university and find my own accomodation. These foundations helped me to build a stable life and a successful career. I cannot imagine how I could have done this living on the streets.
I can understand that some people will be concerned about the expansion but the YMCA do work to ensure the community is listened to and issues dealt with as much as possible. This is a good thing. In many places, groups of people or individuals cause trouble and there is no-one prepared to get involved to try to sort the problems out.
It is also worth remembering that there will always be some people who don't look after their neighbourhood or consider their neighbours... but these people are not always living in hostels, nor are they always young!
The work of the YMCA ensures that some of the many youngsters who do not have a safe place to live have the chance to fulfill their potential and become law abiding, tax paying citizens. The world is a better place because of organisations like them and members of the community, like David and Annette, who demonstrate the common sense and compassion that gives people a chance.
Good luck to all involved!”
by mel, stoke
Thursday, August 06 2009, 11:25PM
“I'm against this idea. I have done some work with some people with the YMCA and they aren't the nicest people in the world. Expanding the YMCA would mean more cause and trouble for the residents in that area. Can we spend the money on better things. How about these uselss layabouts who have nothing better to do with their lives going to college and getting a job instead.”
by toni, Hanley
Thursday, August 06 2009, 2:14PM
“I think that this is a fantastic idea. At least every other week there is something in the newspapers that say young people are doing something that they shouldn't. Lets face it there isn't really anything for young people to do or places they can go where they are not causing someone some trouble, and when someone tries to do something about it like this people are still finding something to moan about. this is a fantastic idea and its about time someone in this city is doing this.”