​Youth can now have their say in curating their ideal community spaces.

BRAMPTON, ON (October 27, 2020) – Brampton youth ages 14 to 29 can now register for a workshop to have their say in creating two dedicated Community Youth Hubs in Brampton. A survey is also available online for all residents to provide their input.

The City of Brampton is converting two spaces at recreation centres into Community Youth Hubs, offering youth-specific programs, services and activities to best support young people across the city. Brampton’s thriving community of youth will soon have dedicated space at Century Gardens Recreation Centre (340 Vodden Street) and South Fletcher’s Sportsplex (500 Ray Lawson Boulevard).

With input from the City’s consultation process with residents and stakeholders, the design process will begin in Winter 2021. This is a part of the City’s Parks and Recreation Master Plan. Funding for the Youth Hubs will be provided through the City of Brampton 2020-2022 capital budget ($5.85M) and Region of Peel 2020 capital budget ($6.0M). For full details, visit www.brampton.ca/recreation.  

Here is how residents can get involved in shaping these spaces.

Youth Virtual Workshops

The City invites Brampton youth ages 14 to 29 to register for an online workshop and have their say on designing and programming the Community Youth Hubs. Youth can register for one of the following sessions:

• November 10 – 7 pm
• November 12 – 7 pm
• November 19 – 7 pm

Registration begins on October 26. The first 50 registrants for each workshop date will get a free Brampton Recreation pass, which can be used to attend a swim, skate or fitness program. All participants who attend a workshop will be entered to win an annual fitness membership. Register now at www.brampton.ca/recreation.  

Online Questionnaire

All residents are invited to provide input on these youth spaces through an online questionnaire. All survey respondents will be entered into a draw to win a monthly fitness pass. To complete the questionnaire, visit www.brampton.ca/recreation.

Youth Friendly Community Designation

In March 2020, the City of Brampton received the Platinum Status Youth Friendly Community designation from Play Works, a program supported by Parks and Recreation Ontario. This is the third time the City has been recognized for its outstanding commitment to growth and development opportunities for youth, and is one of three communities to receive the top platinum designation this year. Click here to learn more.

Quotes
 
“We have begun the exciting process of creating Community Youth Hubs in Brampton. We’ve heard from our youth and youth-serving organizations that dedicated youth hubs are necessary to encourage diversity and equity, promote innovative engagement, and provide safe spaces for youth. I encourage Brampton youth to take a leadership role in this process by providing their input on design and programming.”

- Patrick Brown, Mayor, City of Brampton

“As a Youth-Friendly Community, engaging with youth in Brampton is key to ensuring we continue to meet their needs and set them up for success now and later in life. Creating safe and accessible spaces for youth will enhance our Term of Council priority that Brampton is a Healthy and Safe City for all. The Community Youth Hubs will play a significant role in our young people’s health and well-being.”

- Rowena Santos, Regional Councillor, Wards 1 & 5; Chair, Community Services, City of Brampton

“Brampton is one of the youngest cities in Canada, with more than 130,000 youth ages 14 to 29. That is a big part of why these hubs are so important. It is crucial we hear from our youth and those who work with them to collaboratively create dynamic spaces with programming and services specific to their needs.”

- Charmaine Williams, City Councillor, Wards 7 & 8; Vice-Chair, Community Services, City of Brampton

“City staff are dedicated to providing engagement opportunities and involving our stakeholders as we move forward in establishing Brampton’s Community Youth Hubs. By hearing directly from youth and the community, staff are able to better plan and design these youth spaces specific to our young people’s needs.”

- David Barrick, Chief Administrative Officer, City of Brampton

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