It’s been two years since funding was announced to open a youth and community centre in Nyngan, and finally the project is approaching its due date. 

The funding was announced in 2020 as part of the Stronger Country Communities Fund, after community consultation found the need for a youth centre to appear time and time again. 

While work is still underway on the project, Bogan Shire Council General Manager Derek Francis said a community day will be held for residents to walk through the centre, prior to its opening. 

“This won’t be an official opening, which will be at a later date in accordance with funding providers, but it is an opportunity for the community to see the centre for themselves,” Mr Francis said.

Council staff are currently working on the landscaping around the centre and final interior work as part of the final steps before opening for community use. 

The centre is quite ready to open. (Bogan Shire Council)

“The facility, designed in response to community feedback, will provide a much needed space for the young people in the Bogan shire, as well as the broader population who will also be able to use it for meetings and events,” Mr Francis said. 

The new facility includes an indoor sports hall, meeting rooms, a kitchen, computer facilities, recreational areas and study areas. 

The centre has been built on the old, unused tennis courts in the centre of Nyngan. 

As part of the funding, Nyngan has also had the opportunity to fund the salary of a Youth Worker for at least 12 months. 

Being the town’s only youth centre, the council has formed a committee to ensure community engagement reaches its potential, comprising school students and staff, members of the community, and council staff. 

The centre will be located on the old tennis courts in the centre of town. (Bogan Shire Council)

As this project comes to a close and is soon to be delivered to the community, the Stronger Country Communities Grant funding has opened again, asking local community organisations to propose infrastructure or programs that will boost the wellbeing of the community. 

Funding is available for local community and sporting infrastructure, street beautification, projects enhancing accessibility and inclusion for people with disability, projects improving outcomes for Aboriginal people, and community programs and local events.

Eligible projects will need to be budgeted at $100,000 or more. 

The youth centre will be open to the public on Saturday 17 September.