An exciting new building with the needs of our youth at heart has been reinvented in Tauranga, thanks to financial support from a local philanthropist, as well as the NZCT, TECT, and NZ Lotteries.
The new 1383m2 Youth Central, built for the Bay of Plenty Youth Development Trust, is located on 13th Ave and boasts a total floor area 1383m2.
The two large open plan areas downstairs are made up of a reception area, a large fully-equipped gym, a presentation space, a whānau area, multiple training spaces, a boardroom, meeting rooms, offices, changing rooms and bathrooms, a large commercial kitchen/dining area and 30 carparks. Downstairs, the gym has a full-sized boxing ring, a large-scale gym with a wide range of fitness equipment and ample workout areas.
Inside the fully-equipped gym area.
Integrated nearby, the Ringside Coffee Bar provides Allpress coffee for local residents and workers and barista training for programme participants. The whānau area is a relaxed area for whānau to sit and watch as their children participate in classes.
The large Imagine Believe Achieve training area has multiple workstations and various informal work areas to create a stimulating learning space, with break-out areas in separate meeting rooms.
The boardroom has full video conferencing facilities, and two additional offices are located upstairs for short-term use. The offices downstairs provide full visibility of the outside activity while providing open, flexible and collaborative workspaces.
The entrance and reception area will be supported by a fully integrated security system, suitable for operation as a Covid vaccination facility.
'As our programmes have grown rapidly and diversified, our previous premises became cramped and we have now moved to a new, much larger location,” says Trust chairman Craig Nees.
'In January 2022, BOPYDT moved into these new premises which have been renovated and fitted out to a high specification.
'We love to see the expressions on the faces of our visitors and the excitement of youth as they see what we have to offer to help the youth in our community.”
BOPYDT operates a strategic youth facility in Tauranga, which incorporates a purpose-built gym, meeting and training rooms, offices and commercial kitchen to deliver values-based fitness programmes that help young people.