The next stage in Lake Macquarie Police Citizens Youth Club's series of improvements has been unveiled.
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On Wednesday, November 13, the PCYC based in Windale officially opened its refurbished gymnastics room and amenities, upgraded through a Community Sport Infrastructure Program federal grant worth $104,624.
Speaking at the opening, the federal member for Shortland, Pat Conroy, said he was pleased to have supported Lake Macquarie PCYC in its application for funding and impressed with the new facilities.
"Lake Macquarie PCYC is so important to the youth of our area, particularly to those in the Windale and Gateshead area who live close by," Mr Conroy said.
"I congratulate PCYC staff and volunteers, police, the Rotary Clubs of Belmont and Charlestown, and members of the community who support this great organisation.
"PCYC Lake Macquarie brings significant social benefits to our area. Its work to increase sport and support program participation, especially of at-risk young people and those who are marginalised and socioeconomically disadvantaged, is vital.
"I spoke to a family today in which three generations had made use of the PCYC. And I met a group of young people taking part in the 'Fit For Work' program, which gives them entry-level qualifications to make them job-ready."
The official opening was attended by Lake Macquarie senior Sergeant Ed Beazley and Bede Humphries from Juvenile Justice, two-time world super middle weight champion boxer Sakio Bika, PCYC Lake Macquarie, Hunter and NSW representatives and members of the Belmont and Charlestown Rotary clubs.
"We had some very excited KinderGym students show everyone how it's done and many others from our community coming by to view the new room," the club said.
The expansion and refurbishment of the gymnastics room is one in a raft of improvements made at the club in the past 18 months.
In July 2018 the club opened its newly renovated commercial kitchen, funded through a $62,500 Newcastle Permanent Charitable Foundation grant.
The kitchen now meets modern compliance standards and can be used for commercial purposes.
The upgrade followed improvements made to the exterior of the club, which PCYC Lake Macquarie club manager Martin Eddy said would "make the club more appealing in the community" and "raise the profile of the club in the local area".
