Youth service has no doors to open

Workers removing the Cabarita Youth Service's signage from the building.

supplied

A BEAUTIFUL mural painted by young people involved with the Cabarita Youth Service came down this week as the service closed its doors with no premises to move to.

The service reached the end of its temporary tenancy at the old post office building on January 31 as the building faces demolition to make way for the new Woolworths complex planned for Cabarita.

President of the service Karen Cranwell said the community was saddened by the closure and by the fact that the service has no venue to continue operations at this stage.

She met on Thursday with Tweed mayor, Cr Barry Longland who said the council had taken the future of the service on board, with plans to house the services office operations at the Pottsville Beach Community Centre until a permanent solution can be reached.

"It was a very positive meeting," Cr Longland said.

"There is a possibility that Woolworths will become involved in providing a shopfront for the organisation with local Nationals MP Geoff Provest discussing the possibility with them at present.

"The council wants to give support and has offered storage space for the service's equipment.

"The organisation has some facilitated some wonderful programs and it would be a shame to see them lost due to a lack of premises to operate from.

"The council proposed a 50% rental subsidy for the service to operate from our premises at the Les Berger fields at Cabarita.

"They were unable to meet the remaining 50%, unfortunately.

"With the PCYC looking to gain funding to operate from this venue, there could be rooms available for other outreach services like the Cabarita Youth Service.

"I'm very sympathetic to their needs and the council is looking for the best way to help."

A council spokesperson said there had been "a lot of interest in the Cabarita Youth Service since it was established."

Cabarita businesses say they are concerned about the services future.

LJ Hooker's Jane Anderson said the service was a godsend to the town.

'I'm a great supporter of the Cabarita Youth Service," she said.

"I'm not alone in hoping that it gets re-established in new premises very soon.

"The service has been a huge benefit to the community.

"The marked reduction in crime and graffiti in Cabarita stands as testament to the sterling work done by the service."