Teenagers get new youth centre

1:11pm Friday 9th March 2007

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TEENAGERS in the Panshanger area of Welwyn Garden City have a new place to socialise thanks to a new council-funded youth centre.

The £30,000 Meeting Point centre, on the site of the Hazel Grove Community Centre, was officially opened on Thursday afternoon.

The centre boasts a state-of-the-art computer suite, designer furnishings, a plasma-screen TV and a hi-tech sound system.

Council leader John Dean, who fought for the new centre's development, said: "This is what young people said they wanted and we've provided it for them. We don't get any funding from central funding for youth work so this money has had to come from council funds, but It is money well spent.

"One of the things that young people have said continually is that they want a safe, supervised place to hang out with their friends."

Built in partnership with the county council, the centre complements the existing Breaks Manor centre in Hatfield.

Meeting Point Panshanger is open twice a week, on Monday and Friday afternoons (3pm to 6pm) to any young people aged 13 to 19.

Entry costs 50p and funds raised from entry fees will go directly to Panshanger funds for future events.

For more information, call the council on 01707 357000, email contact-whc@welhat.gov.uk or visit www.welhat.gov.uk