Un-draughty update plan for shelters

Published on 7th June 2007 in News

Work has begun on a project to replace Gilberdyke's two youth shelters.

Youngsters have been asked to search the internet for possible designs which might solve the problem of draughts.

East Riding ward councillor Paul Robinson, who recently spent an evening talking to young people, said: "As five years previously, there is a significant majority of young people who do not necessarily want to become involved in organised activities but just want to 'hang around' in a relatively secure, dry and sheltered area.

"It was established that this would be a place in which they felt comfortable in doing the things they wanted to do, without interference from adults, but at the same time not totally isolated in case of threat or danger.

"It is widely acknowledged that the existing youth shelters have been very successful over the last five years and it is a credit to the young people that the shelters have become a regular meeting place, and that they have taken care of the shelters, which have remained free from vandalism."

Unfortunately, the design of the shelters, which have been described as 'steel mushrooms', mean that the wind blows through the back of them and surrounding grass gets boggy in wet weather.

Mr Robinson said: "The young people have told us that their highest priority is replacing the shelters with a newer, less draughty design and to have the surrounding area concreted.

"Some of the young people are at present trawling the internet to come up with designs for youth shelters that we can consider at the next meeting."

The meeting will take place at 6.30pm on Thursday, June 14 at the Gilberdyke Youth Building and is part of a multi-agency approach to reducing anti-social behaviour in the village.

Young people, parents and volunteers are all welcome to attend.

In the future, it is hoped that the youngsters will be able to secure up to £10,000 from the Youth Opportunities Fund.