Young people on the North Shore will soon have more resources available to them in central Takapuna.
At a recent business meeting, Devonport-Takapuna Local Board granted a new 13-year ground lease for the site of the former Takapuna Bowling Club at 2 Mary Poynton Crescent to The Yes Disability Resource Centre Services Trust Board. Ownership of the site’s existing buildings and improvements including a bowling green and floodlights have also been transferred to the trust.
Yes Disability is the governing body for Shore Junction, a youth innovation hub located on the neighbouring site to the old bowling club that offers free facilities for young people to explore their interests and develop their skills, including a music room, digital suite and exercise, arts and technology areas. Members also have access to study areas and meeting rooms to support learning and collaboration.
Shore Junction members also have access to study and meeting rooms.
Local Board chair Toni van Tonder says the board is happy to see the site, which has been sitting vacant due to maintenance and repair issues, going into good hands.
“The trust has done amazing work since they started 20 years ago, creating The Yes Disability Centre and the Shore Junction youth hub. Our local board knows the site will be put to good use for our community and were excited to see what they will do with it.”
Yes Disability Centre CEO, Sonia Thursby, says the new site will open opportunities for the trust to increase collaboration with other local community groups.
“The benefits for all young peoples and to the wider community of having this new resource available will be incredible. At Shore Junction we currently have over 2,800 youth members and 700 community bookings per year so we are excited to be able to offer more amazing spaces for our community to share. Huge thanks to the local board for making this happen!”
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