New Dawn Youth and Family Centre taking shape
“The New Dawn Youth and Family Centre will bring together community vision and innovative design to build a space that supports children, youth, and families.”
The first walls of the New Dawn Youth and Family Centre are up, giving the first glimpse into the finished product shape of the 25,000 square foot building in the heart of Glace Bay.
“The new Youth Centre is going to bring life back to this community,” said Chris Kaiser, a life-long Glace Bay resident and youth programme director at Undercurrent Youth Society. He is an advocate for the Youth Centre and sees it as a transformational project for his hometown.
“My hope for this community is opportunity — more jobs here, more mental health resources, more things that make it feel like home, and the new Youth Centre is going to embody all of those ideas.”
Designed with sustainability and community at its core, the hybrid wood and steel building will host programs for children, youth, and families, create space for mentorship and entrepreneurship, and bring community services and recreation offerings together under one roof. It reflects New Dawn’s commitment to building vibrant, connected communities through thoughtful design and the use of renewable materials.
“The New Dawn Youth and Family Centre will bring together community vision and innovative design to build a space that supports children, youth, and families while demonstrating how sustainable construction can strengthen communities like Glace Bay,” said Alyce MacLean, Vice President of Properties and Development at New Dawn.
The building will include an outdoor playground, skatepark, and gymnasium, along with a fully-equipped community kitchen, multipurpose spaces for community-based programs and services, and a 49-space daycare. The Centre will offer free family-friendly programming in partnership with local organizations, including Undercurrent Youth Society. From volunteer and mentorship opportunities for youth, to entrepreneurship workshops, to arts and recreation programs, the Centre will become a dynamic base for innovation and belonging.
This is more than a building. It is a promise — of brighter days, of dignity, of love.
The New Dawn Youth Centre is expected to be completed later this year. The total cost of the project is $19 million, with federal and provincial governments contributing a combined $16.8 million. New Dawn has launched a community fundraising campaign to raise the remaining capital funds.
Learn more here.
