New youth centre for Ohakune

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 4, Issue 24, 11 November 1986, Page 17

New youth centre for Ohakune

'Bebe's Parlour' is the name of an adventurous project currently being undertaken by a group of young people in Ohakune.

The teenagers are aged between 14and 21 yearsand have decided to turn the former 'Fruitbowl' fruit and vegetable shop in Clyde Street into a young people's

activitv centre. Plans include installing about 20 video game machines, two pool tables and a juke-box. Glossy black paint donated by MSD Speirs has been applied liberally to all four walls of the interior which will eventually include fluorescent lighting. The group held their first dfficial AG M recently under the guidance of Lisa Mareikura and Christina Kaiwhare, the centre's organisers. The idea is to allocate positions of authority to the group to give them a reason to make the amusement parlour succeed. Committee elected Elected chairman was Jerry Henare, manager George Tamatea ufider the guidance of Lisa and Christina, secretary Raylene Green and treasurer Henry TeHuia. The idea of a centre for young people came from Christina Kaiwhare who was concerned that young people in the area did not have anywhere to go and instead wandered the streets. She saw a programme on television that showed a young person's council and what they had accomplished in another part of New Zealand, and approached Mayor Bill Taylor. Christina said that Mr Taylor was enthusiastic about the prospect of a centre but the problem remained as to where it was to be located. Chairman of Ohakune's shopping centre committee. Bruce Wilde, came up with the idea of the vacant shop premises and re-decorating started almost immediately. The group is on a twomonth trial basis starting mid-November when it is planned to open. If successful, it is hoped that it may later become an outlet for the sale of souvenirs made by the group i'ncluding such items as flax woven kits and mats. "The kids have a lot of really good ideas but they can't put their ideas into action until some takings start coming in," said Christina. The enterprise has the backing of local police and many parents of young children in the area. Parents are assured that children will not be atlowed entry into the premises during school hours.