Safe base for youths
Published 12 Oct 2011 08:00
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Graeme Campbel outside The Fountain Leisure Centre.
AN initiative aimed at keeping youngsters in the Cowdenbeath-Lochgelly area off the streets has made a promising start.
Based at The Fountain Leisure Centre, in Broad Street, Cowdenbeath, the initiative created by businessman Graeme Campbell, is geared at giving young people people a positive way to channel their energies.
Targeting youngsters from early primary age to mid teens Mr Campbell (49) wants to give young people something to focus on.
He told the Times, "My aim is to give our local youngsters the opportunity to enjoy themselves in a safe environment."
He took over the running of the former Cowdenbeath Miners Institute with the help of local businessman Willie McDonald, in May, and has been operating his youth initiative since mid-summer.
"I know that the building is best known as a nitespot with several bars but now the only bars we have is for juice and tea and coffee," he added.
"I want our youngsters to see this as a place they can hang out in and enjoy what is on offer."
On Friday night's the building's dance hall is handed over to the 12 to 18 age group from 5pm to 10.45pm when they can enjoy a disco and use the adjoining games area.
The following night, on a Saturday, the facility is available for primary school youngsters from 6pm to 9pm. He also runs a youth drop-in facility from 5pm to 10pm during the week.
For a modest charge young people can use the Fountain Leisure Centre as an extension of their livingroom. Added Mr Campbell, "I have other plans in mind to provide even more activities for the younger generation to help them channel their energies in a positive way.
"This might include a Fountain Community Award which will see the youngsters working in the community in a positive way, whether it be working in senior citizens gardens or on clean-up projects".
The Dalgety Bay man is totally committed to making the Fountain Leisure Centre a success and also runs fitness classes at the Fountain for adults in the evening and has snooker tables upstairs.
He went on, "To be honest I want to see all age groups using the facility and I would like to welcome senior citizen's groups in to meet here and enjoy themselves.
"Any organisation who might be interested in using our facilities just needs to get in touch and I will ensure we can help them."
Meanwhile he is working hard at giving the youth of the Cowdenbeath-Lochgelly area a new base and he was full of praise for the support Willie McDonald has given him in the venture.
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