proposed Youth For Christ $9-million youth centre

From the Freep:

"A non-profit group called Youth For Christ wants to build a $9.3-million youth centre on what’s now an empty lot at the northwest corner of Higgins Avenue and Main Street.

The Christian organization, which offers 15 programs in various Winnipeg locations right now, plans to build a 50,000-square foot facility called "Youth Centre of Excellence," which would include a skate park, fitness centre, dance studio, climbing wall and multi-sport gym, as well as a classroom and job training centre.

Youth For Christ has raised $3.1 million toward the project and is seeking more funds from Ottawa. Downtown development agency CentreVenture has agreed to provide a $2.6-million loan.

Today, city council’s executive policy committee voted provide CentreVenture an annual grant of $225,000 to cover the cost of the loan. The money would flow over 15 years from the city’s operating budget, beginning in 2011.
The plan still faces council approval on Feb. 24."

Do you support this proposed youth centre? It should do some good in the area. There are a lot of youth in the area who could use some proper guidance. Critics are crying that it violates the separation of church and state.

just needed to run a poll?

Triniman wrote:Do you support this proposed youth centre? It should do some good in the area. There are a lot of youth in the area who could use some proper guidance. Critics are crying that it violates the separation of church and state.

So, public funds should not flow to organizations which promote "traditional" teachings for First Nations either?

I guess not....

Think of the savings RIGHT there 'eh? !!

It would cost alot more if the city could build it , and the key is could . It is sorly needed in the area. . And look at what the local religous schools get .

The funding of faith based schools is a completely different issue and should really not be included in this type of discussion. It is true that the area needs this type of place, even though I'm not convinced on this specific location, and consider how much private money is being put up and that these guys have a track record which indicates that they won't be lining up at the public trough for operating money.

Lining up at the proverbial trough or not I am so tired of religious groups doing the works that government should be doing.....especially given the so-called agenda of the New Dunce Party.....

Good deeds should not have to come with a caveat.

A great idea!
An area that could use tons of help!
A low price at $9 million compared to $400 for the Human Rights Museum!
Smart investment in youth!
What a horrible name for a non profit agency!
name change is in order to attract all at risk youth.

I have NO problem with religious groups providing such services. This is how this great country was built.

It is abundantly clear government has a great deal of difficulty delivering certain services. It is the same problem they have when tying to deliver business services. It is simply not in their DNA.

So, let's allow religious groups do it if they can succeed at it.

grumpy old man wrote:So, let's allow religious groups do it if they can succeed at it.

Agreed.

What I find terribly frustrating in this debate is the complaining coming from the anti-religious or humanist folks regarding the religious mandate of YFC, but you NEVER see a group of atheists getting together to start a youth based initiative. Perhaps they should start putting their money and time where their mouth is.

At the end of the day YFC is offering an alternative for kids who would rather do something productive with their lives. If it happens to only be religious organizations willing to step up and provide such a service, then the public will have to accept that.

There used to be a time when almost ALL of the hospitals, food banks, shelters, orphanages and other humanitarian efforts were led by religious groups. It was only within the last 60-70 years where the government started to help out in that regard.

rosencrentz wrote:What a horrible name for a non profit agency!
name change is in order to attract all at risk youth.

How about "Youth for Zionism"?

"
There used to be a time when almost ALL of the hospitals, food banks, shelters, orphanages and other humanitarian efforts were led by religious groups. It was only within the last 60-70 years where the government started to help out in that regard."

Two (or is it three) of our hospitals are still religous basedish. Guess we should just stop funding them and build new ones though.

Miz point wrote:Lining up at the proverbial trough or not I am so tired of religious groups doing the works that government should be doing.....especially given the so-called agenda of the New Dunce Party.....

I understand your point, but what is the track record of government in providing such service? Classic point, the community centre system in Winnipeg. Those areas that need it the most, inner city, are probably the worst run, publicly funded community centres in the City, but has anyone figured that out? And if and when they do, what will be the response? Why is it that the Central Winnipeg community centre, shares a facility with the Boys and Girls Club? DOes there not seem to be a duplication of service, or redundancy in administration?

Deank wrote:"
There used to be a time when almost ALL of the hospitals, food banks, shelters, orphanages and other humanitarian efforts were led by religious groups. It was only within the last 60-70 years where the government started to help out in that regard."

Two (or is it three) of our hospitals are still religous basedish. Guess we should just stop funding them and build new ones though.

St Boniface Hospital started and operated by the Grey Nuns, Grace Hospital = Salvation Army. Good point.

Freeman wrote:

Miz point wrote:Lining up at the proverbial trough or not I am so tired of religious groups doing the works that government should be doing.....especially given the so-called agenda of the New Dunce Party.....

I understand your point, but what is the track record of government in providing such service? Classic point, the community centre system in Winnipeg. Those areas that need it the most, inner city, are probably the worst run, publicly funded community centres in the City, but has anyone figured that out? And if and when they do, what will be the response? Why is it that the Central Winnipeg community centre, shares a facility with the Boys and Girls Club? DOes there not seem to be a duplication of service, or redundancy in administration?

Just because the government doesn't do it correctly, doesn't mean that it is incapable of doing it that way.

When you obfuscate and assign responsibilities that should be the core reason for your existance (the government), to others, the duplication comes from the other direction imo.

Miz P did you just suggest that this kind of initiative is best left to government to operate? Wowza.

Yeah, scary eh? I am just tired of god squad because as I have seen in many other locales their assistance always comes with strings attached.

Some guy phoned into 'OB the other day and said that he attended the YFC place on Talbot and they told him he'd have to listen to the sermons or he couldn't play in the facility.

That seems like a rope...not a string.

Are you familiar with Siloam Mission, Salvation Army and the other dozen aid organizations in the core area? They all have a Christianity slant.

I'm familiar with them.

Shouldn't the government be providing proper shelter to its citizens?

Help should never come with a caveat.....period. One helps their fellow man because they want to not because they have an agenda.

Check the CRA Charities website and see how much places like Youth for Christ and Siloam generate by way of private donations. When you see that, you will understand why the City wants to support organizations like that.

I say we build a colisseum and bring back the gladiators!!!!

^
WTF has that got to do with it?

Are you saying that three or twenty wrongs make it right?

Government shouldn't be funding $75,000 picnic tables while leaving its' citizens starving and homeless.

I would think that those are easy dots to connect.