Teen centre in arena mezzanine for local youth

By Rob Vogt
There is a safe place in Claresholm where youth can go – the teen centre.
“It gives kids something to do,” said William Allan, youth leader.
The teen centre runs in the mezzanine of the Claresholm Arena, that’s up the stairs, on Tuesdays from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
It is an opportunity for youth to go somewhere safe to relax, hang out, play video games if they like, and more.
There is no charge to attend and people can drop in whenever they like. Participants are asked to fill out a form that outlines the rules of the teen centre and the need to respect them.
Allan has been the youth leader since September of 2023, but he has been involved with the teen centre a lot longer.
“I’ve been going since I was 16 years old,” he said.
It all started with Concrete Dreams, a skateboarding project led by John Wenlock, the previous youth leader, in 2014.
Soon it evolved into the teen centre.
“John asked us if we wanted to continue and it took off from there,” Allan said.
Now, Allan wants to share the experiences he had.
“I met two of my best friends at the teen centre,” he said. “It’s an experience I never thought I’d get to have.”
The program has been going through some restructuring, and was shut down when Mackin Hall was no longer available for the teen centre.
Allan has been busy getting the word out since the move to the arena mezzanine, and has a lot of plans as the program evolves.
He would like to resume day trips to places such as Whoop-Up Days in Lethbridge, and start volunteering at community events again.
“The volunteering events are probably the most fun,” Allan said.
He stressed the teen centre is not affiliated with any organization in town beyond Claresholm and District Family and Community Support Services.
So he welcomes everyone to check out the teen centre Tuesdays from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the Claresholm Arena mezzanine.
“Parents are welcome to come down and see what it’s all about,” Allan said.
Anyone interested in more information can e-mail william00allan@gmail.com (no dashes or spaces).