New $12.6-million youth centre described as ‘one of a kind’ opens in Mississauga
Published October 11, 2023 at 5:08 pm
Young people in the Malton area of Mississauga have a new place to hang out with the long-awaited opening on Tuesday of a $12.6-million community hub in their neighbourhood.
The Malton Youth Hub Jonathan Davis Centre, which is attached to Lincoln Alexander Secondary School at 3545 Morning Star Dr., is being called a “one-of-a-kind” and state-of-the-art facility.
City of Mississauga Ward 5 Councillor Carolyn Parrish, in whose ward the hub is located, has kept her residents constantly updated on the progress of the 18,000-sq.-ft. gathering place since construction and renovation began in January 2022.
On social media this week, she described the revamped facility as an “incredible youth space in Malton serving all the various needs of kids today.”
The large-scale refurbishing essentially repurposed the former indoor swimming pool so that the spacious area now serves as a comfortable and much-needed meeting place for young people, Parrish said.
The new facility also includes a massive two-storey atrium with a glass wall overlooking a new artificial surface track and football field, and a state-of-the-art recording studio.
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On the City’s online project update site, officials said earlier that the new facility will provide services and programs “that reflect the local youth needs.”
The new hub includes:
- a large atrium for gathering
- a commercial kitchen equipped for teaching programs
- a room dedicated for youths to hang out, meet and play
- a multi-purpose room for programs, meetings and events
- small multi-purpose rooms for working and counselling
“These spaces will be complemented with over 4,000 square feet of dedicated space for anchor partners to offer integrated programs and services catered toward youth,” City officials said earlier.
The City issued a request for interest earlier to license dedicated hub space to four to six anchor partners that will offer programs and services beneficial to community youths.
Funding for the facility came from the City of Mississauga, Region of Peel and private donors.
INsauga's Editorial Standards and PoliciesSpacious Malton Youth Hub, Jonathan Davis Centre. Incredible $12.6 million renovation. Youth need a safe place outside school hours. Every electronic device, including a professional recording studio. Teaching kitchen with ‘help yourself fridge’. Grateful to amazing City staff. pic.twitter.com/Blrq64PxhI
— Carolyn Parrish (@carolynhparrish) March 21, 2023