Young people in Belfast’s Belvoir area are making the most of a new youth centre opened by Education Minister John O’Dowd.
The new build includes a Sports Hall, IT facilities and social meeting places with provision for 1,000 young people from the area.
After officially opening the new facility, Minister O’Dowd said: “It is clear that my Department’s investment of £1.4m has been put to good use. Membership of the centre has increased 35% over the past few months and with a number of activities catering for a range of young people, I’m sure these figures will continue to rise.
“In October 2013 I published the Priorities for Youth which supports and encourages youth service to provide young people with positive engagement in education and lifelong opportunities. Youth Centres, such as this facility in Belvoir, provide the ideal opportunity to allow young people to develop their individual skills in a safe, modern environment.”
Minister O’Dowd continued: “I would like to thank all the staff and volunteers of Belvoir Youth Centre for their continued dedication and commitment and I am confident this facility will continue to have a positive impact on the young people in the surrounding areas for many years to come.”