Like many local organizations, the Connaught Youth Centre (CYC) is having a tough time during COVID-19.
The Prince George-based centre has closed its doors for the pandemic and is not able to collect regular rental fees, which means its funds are running low.
“The costs have gone down somewhat but there’s overhead like heat and light that goes on regardless if you have people in the building or not and it’s made for a difficult time,” says CYC president and facilities manager Bill Neilson.
“We are basically saying we need some help and we are trying to build up some funds so that we don’t have to close our doors.”
Neilson has started a fundraiser to help offset some of the expenses so the centre can continue its youth-focused programming and provide space for community groups and events.
“The nature of our business or our philosophy is to keep our rents as low as possible because most of the groups that are in there are not-for-profit groups like the cadets.”
CYC is home to Navy League Cadets, Sea Cadets, Army Cadets, and Air Cadets as well as other community groups like the Quilters Guild.
It also hosts youth and community sports, education and public and private events like banquets and weddings.
The CYC also runs free programs like the After School Drop-in which includes two hours of physical activity and a healthy snack for kids, and a weekly equine wellness program run at a nearby farm on Queensway at the Be Herd Wellness Centre.
Neilson says he’s hoping to start by raising $3,000 for the centre.
“Our fundraising is probably going to go on into the future because we tend to rent the facility at lower than average rates due to the fact that it’s mostly non-profit groups that use it,” says Neilson. “We are tending to run short of funds so we have to fundraise to help us out.”
The Connaught Youth Centre is located at 1491 17 Ave. next to Ron Brent Elementary School.
Neilson says the CYC is expecting to open up again in September, with COVID-19 safety restrictions in place, including having fewer than 50 people in the building and increased sanitation.
