The doors to brand new Bogan Shire Youth and Community Centre in Nyngan were thrown open to the public on Saturday with more than 100 people turned up to see through the purpose-built facility. 

The Youth and Community Centre was built using NSW and Federal Government grant funding including from round two of the Stronger Country Communities Fund which was ear-tagged for youth-related infrastructure. 

The centre is comprised of two airconditioned buildings, one with a full-sized multi-purpose indoor sports court and the other with meeting rooms, recreational spaces, and a large kitchen. 

It sits in the centre of Nyngan, in what has become a dedicated youth and recreational precinct incorporating the town swimming pool, Larkin Oval, the tennis club, netball courts, skatepark and play equipment. 

Bogan Shire general manager Derek Francis said grant funding opportunities had enabled Council to upgrade the precinct over the past six years with other notable improvements being new lighting towers and a canteen at Larkin Oval; solar heating, a water slide and splash park at the pool; and the sealing of the netball courts. 

“We have also received funding to build a new skatepark and new outdoor playground equipment, and are now planning to upgrade the tennis courts and clubhouse,” Mr Francis said. 

“The Youth and Community Centre is the centrepiece of this precinct and will tie it all together.” 

A designated youth centre had been included in the Bogan Shire Community Strategic Plan since 2012 in response to feedback from the community for more safe recreational options for young people. 

Council engaged with stakeholders such as school students, parents and agencies when planning the centre, and broadened the scope to enable it be used by the wider community. 

The new Youth & Community Centre in Nyngan.

Community organisations which have existed in Nyngan for generations but are finding it difficult to maintain their own aging buildings and pay service fees will be able to use the BSYCC for meetings. 

Mr Francis said Council had also secured grant funding to employ a youth worker to co-ordinate and supervise programs at the BSYCC. 

Bogan Shire Mayor Glen Neill said Council had been aware of a need for youth-focussed infrastructure and had included a centre in long term planning goals, but without grant funding would not have had the capacity to achieve a building of the scope of this one. 

“I think everyone who has come through here today has been surprised at just what we have in here. They probably thought it was just a big sports hall but when they’ve had a look through they’ve seemed very impressed.” 

Councillor Neill said the former Council had resolved to use the available grant funding on the project, and should be proud of the outcome. 

“It hasn’t been easy to get this project to this point, with Covid playing havoc with the deadlines so I’d like to commend the Bogan Shire staff for their efforts.” 

Nyngan High School captain Tsitsi Dhedheya and Jasmine Bourke with Izzy and Gabby Dhedheya at the Open Day.

Among the visitors at the community open day on Saturday was Nyngan High School captain Tsitsi Dhedheya who took her little sisters Izzy and Gabby, and was impressed with the amount of planning which had gone into making the facility relevant for today’s young people. 

“There’s something for everyone and I think there will be a lot of young people using it for study and recreation. We needed something like this in Nyngan because there isn’t a lot of do or places to go especially on weekends.” 

Former Bogan Shire senior citizen of the year, Don Lister was interested to have a look through the centre.   

“It’s in a cracking spot. Easy to get to from everywhere in town,” he said.