BGC Leduc continues pursuit of new youth centre

LEDUC -- BGC Leduc continues to advocate for a new youth centre.

The facility has been proposed for Kinsmen Park with the goal of providing local supports for Leduc's growing youth population. While a final decision on the matter has yet to be reached, planning for the new youth centre has been ongoing for several years. Recent efforts on behalf of BGC Leduc have included a geotechnical study conducted last summer and various meetings with City Council.

"We're seeing patterns of social disengagement and an increase in crime, and then of course there's struggles with addiction that are affecting teens across our region and province," said Cassy Nelson, Executive Director of BGC Leduc. "For us, building out social infrastructure, such a youth centre, would play a critical role in prevention." 

At their meeting in late March, members of Leduc City Council arrived at a consensus that Kinsman Park would be the best option available for the new youth centre. This led to Council directing administration to draft a public engagement plan which is expected to be launched later this month. This process will focus on confirming community values, priorities, and acceptability thresholds for the project.

"We have about 25 letters of support from other community agencies that are also serving youth in the region, that have highlighted that Leduc needs a new youth centre," said Nelson. "But now, the important piece is that there might be a lot of residents in Leduc that don't have teens, or kids that would really utilize a youth centre -- so we want to make sure that they would also see value in this." 

Nelson believes that Kinsman Park would be the ideal location for a new youth centre for several reasons, including the park's proximity to Leduc Composite High School. She adds that the area's already existing infrastructure, such as the tennis courts, football field, outdoor ice rink, and nearby Kinsman Hall, would ensure that the youth centre would not disrupt any natural green space.

"The tiny pocket right off the outdoor rink and Kinsmen Hall, right nestled between there, is what we're hoping for," said Nelson. "It's under-utilized park space -- there's a berm that's sitting there and the parking lot. That's where we're hoping to go."

If all goes according to plan, the new youth centre could see its ribbon-cutting in 2028.