Kingsteignton's popular youth centre, which has provided a vital hub for the village's youngsters since 1968, is to enter a new era after trustees announced they are set to join forces with Devon County Council. The decision to enter into a 10-year agreement with the County Youth Service has come after almost a year of negotiations and follows the introduction of ever-tougher legislation which makes it harder for untrained volunteers to take positions of responsibility. Although the youth service will take on the day-to-day management of the centre, the trustees insist they will still be involved with the club which will remain in the ownership of the community, which has raised hundreds of thousands of pounds to maintain and improve the Broadway Road site throughout the years. They also say the club will now be able to access services and support never before available to it. 'This will entitle the centre to the same advantages as are enjoyed by other youth facilities in the county such a transport facilities, the services of county youth officers and staff, a wider range of activities and joint activities with other youth organisations in the district,' said trustee Cllr Beryl Austen. 'We will also benefit from the circulation of staff and skills within the area, back-up for holidays and sickness, caretaking and care of the building which will be used exclusively for young people. 'We will remain the freeholders of the building and hold the premises absolutely and in perpetuity for the young people of Kingsteignton.' The centre started in l968, then known as St Michael's Youth Club, and has been run by a voluntary management committee and trustees ever since. The original building was purchased in November 1968 for £3,000. In 1990, it was decided to embark on a £400,000 community project to replace the old building and raise a further £200,000 with which to employ a full-time youth leader. In the past five years the centre has operated as a community facility and, according to the trustees, has achieved all it set out to do and is financially secure. Poss pic to come?
