The brand new PCYC Wagga Wagga is on track to be completed this year. Photo: Chris Roe.
The stadium has a roof, the front of house is taking shape and Wagga’s new $23 million Police Citizens Youth Club (PCYC) is on track to open this year.
PCYC head of strategic development Lester Stump believes the build couldn’t be going any better.
“The timing on this project is fantastic,” he says.
Global supply issues, COVID-19 and now influenza have done little to slow progress.
“The way the head contractor, Lippman, procured the project – there have been no gaps,” Mr Stump says.
“They’ll be ready to hand over in October; then there’s a transition period of business readiness before a grand opening in early December.”
Mr Stump and Wagga PCYC manager Wayne Flood took a delegation through the busy construction site on Fitzhardinge Street.
Among them was Mayor Dallas Tout, who says it is gratifying to watch the project take shape and remain true to its community ambitions.
“It’s somewhere for the youth to come, to be supported to undertake some amazing activities and that was the driver from the beginning,” he says.
“After what we’ve seen today, we’re going to achieve all that and do other things for the city as well. That’s the beauty of the partnership between the PCYC and three levels of government.”
The PCYC on the corner of Fitzhardinge Street and the Sturt Highway is in the final months of construction. Photo: Chris Roe.
A registered charity, PCYC NSW operates more than 66 clubs, fostering police and community partnerships to empower and support young people.
For Mr Stump, it’s another step forward for the PCYC as they revitalise facilities across the state.
“This is what the new PCYC is. It’s a community. It’s not just a bunch of sports courts; it’s a whole bunch of other activities and programs that people can participate in,” he explains.
“We’ll have allied health workers in here along with physiotherapists and mental health programs. It’s not just four courts.”
When complete, the multi-purpose facility will include after-school care, youth-focused activity spaces, conference facilities, offices and a spectacular four-court stadium.
It will be possible to silo the timber courts by large curtains and host multiple events at one time including basketball, netball, volleyball and even functions.
“Bring down the curtains, all the lights are dimmable and it completely changes the field,” Mr Stump says, gesturing around the cavernous building where workers are busily installing ceiling insulation.
“One of the things that makes his facility unique across New South Wales is that it’s air-conditioned and that gives us probably another six months of access.”
When asked about the prospect of hosting the iconic PCYC Blue Light discos, Mr Stump does some quick calculations.
“It’s 3000 sqm and kids like dancing close together, so that could be 3000 kids,” he says.
“It’s horrifying!”
When asked the same question, Dallas Tout casts an eye to the expanse of ceiling overhead.
“That’s a lot of blue bulbs!” he says with a chuckle.
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