Youth promote new facilities

A MULTI-SPORTS centre at Johnston Park and a mezzanine floor at the Feilding Public Library were promoted by Feilding Intermediate School representatives at a Manawatu youth forum this week.

The pupils presented their Photo-Voice findings after researching their “ideal” multi-sports centre for Feilding and looking at ways in which the library could be further developed to appeal to a diverse age range.

Students also explored ideas on how youth would continue to have a say in the Manawatu as the current funding for Photo-Voice and the youth forum had now ended.

Youth forum facilitator Lisa Foggin said students felt that sport was quite fragmented in Feilding and many players, such as netballers, were spending a lot of money travelling to and from Palmerston North to participate.

“If the facilities were available in town then costs would be cut considerably and more people would be able to afford to take part,” she said.

Johnston Park was the preferred location for the sports centre and could feature basketball and tennis courts, gymnasium, shooting range and bowling alley.

The presenters agreed the library was a great facility but would like something added specifically for youth, such as a mezzanine floor for use as a study or “chill-out” area. Access to more computers was also on the “wish list”.

Manawatu District Council’s Community Development Adviser Vicki Wills said the students should be commended on the professionalism of their presentations as they highlighted the thinking processes of today’s youth.

“The mezzanine floor suggestion shows they are obviously looking for their own space,” she said, “and it may have identified a need in the youth community.”

Ms Wills said the future of Manawatu’s youth voice format was already being considered and would take into account the latest Photo-Voice suggestions such as youth Facebook pages, website, online polls and office.