YMCA Tayside to see substantial progress being made in the new Y Centre soon after the launch of their most recent fundraising campaign.
Construction taking place on the 25th of May.
The Y Centre will include creative ideas put forward by the many young people who use the YMCA’s facilities! YMCA Tayside predicts that the new youth centre will be open for use by Spring 2023.
The 130-year-old Church, situated in Atholl Street, is currently under construction by Taylor and Fraser Ltd and will be transformed into a vibrant hub for young people.
This process has included recognising the needs of young people across Tayside, incorporating these ideas into the construction plans and the interior design.
Dave Findlay, project Manager from Taylor and Fraser Ltd, said “First and foremost will be the demolition, then there will be the piling and steel portal. That will probably cover us for the next 9 -12 weeks. We have to do the façade down-takings as well. We really have to take the building back to a safe area in order to build it and move forward.”
The renovation will provide young people with support from YMCA Tayside’s professional youth work team.
There will be a dedicated floor for Health and Wellbeing, Y Enterprise offering Barista training and a customer service qualifications and Y Innovate Hub.
There will be an area designed by young people with the help of an interior design team. Incorporating a ‘Wall of Wonder’ with hidden storage and unique seating. The courtyard will include a water feature using collected rain water.
Layla Riddoch, a member of YMCA Tayside’s Youth Voice, a group who work to reflect the opinions of young people in Tayside, said “Youth Voice got together as a group and discussed what we would like to see in the new Y Centre. At that time we thought, dream big! Now, all of our ideas are actually coming to life and work on the building has started and work is now underway.”
YMCA Tayside plans to include a number of flats for young people transitioning from supported temporary housing to their own tenancy. Providing safe and secure homes. They will also offer accommodation to trainee youth workers, participating on their YMCA Academy programme.
YMCA Tayside CEO, Jill McGrath, says: “We aim to completely re- generate the old Church, whilst retaining many of the original features, adding some flare that will make the building an amazing space for young people. I can hardly believe we are finally at the construction phase. I’d like to thank the many funders and individuals who have supported us, not only in the Y Centre development but also over many years, I truly appreciate your commitment to YMCA Tayside, enabling us to work with hundreds of young people every year.”
YMCA Tayside have also launched their Reserve a Brick campaign which allows supporters to donate a brick which can be engraved with their unique special message or name. The brick will then be placed in one of three areas in Y Centre. Donors can choose from either a brick, tile or reclaimed wood from the Church building.
This is a fantastic way for individuals who support the work of YMCA Tayside to leave their own legacy in the Y Centre. Each donation includes a certificate of authentication and personalised mini brick as a thank you. Bricks can be purchased via their website.
YMCA Tayside look forward to their Y Centre plans to finally come to fruition. With funds raised from The Brick Campaign they will be able to implement ideas created for young people by young people.
Iain Blair, one of the last people to be wed in the church in 1991, says: “I am delighted to hear that the old St. Andrew’s and St. Steven’s Church is going to have a new lease of life for a new generation of young people.
Angus McInnes, Construction Director for building contractor Taylor & Fraser from Paisley, hopes to be able offer some young people work experience in the construction industry, when the building is further advanced. For further information contact barry@ymcatayside.com