The southern portion of the new Rossland youth space is expected to open in October.
A building on the former Emcon Lot is being transformed into the new Rossland Youth Action Network (YAN) Space, and YAN coordinator Mike Kent says the south side of the building is expected to be open for programming on Oct. 16.
So far the garage door in the south part of the building has been removed and replaced by a wall and a mezzanine has been constructed over top of what will be the boot room/entrance way, the interior-access bathroom, the exterior-access bathroom (for use by skatepark users) and a mechanical room. The space underneath the stairs leading down from the mezzanine will be used for storage and next to the interior-access bathroom there will also be a stacked washer and dryer. The main floor will also have a kitchenette, similar to the one in the current YAN Space, for preparing snacks and in-floor radiant heat.
Upstairs on the mezzanine, there will be an office, which so far has three windows installed, and a lounge area.
Not much has been done to the north side of the building yet but, like the south side, it will need to have a beam installed to bring the roof up to code for bearing snow.
Kent says that so far plenty of local businesses have stepped up to help with the project by either donating or discounting supplies or services: Alpine Disposal and Recycling, the Regional District of Kootenay Boundary, Ital Electric, Main Plumbing and Heating, Trail Roofing, MacLeod Nine Consultants, Columbia Glass, Simm Excavating & Snow Removal, Chinook Scaffolding, Kootenayview Concrete Finishing, Trail Ready Mix, Andrew Sheret, West K Concrete, Benefit Construction, Guillevin International, Maglio’s Building Centre and Mountain High Lighting.
The project has also received funding from the City of Rossland, Teck, the Columbia Basin Trust, Rossland Rotary and Area B.
And a number of individuals from the community have contributed as well.
“There’ve been so many Rossland individuals, when we’ve put out calls for volunteers, who have come and helped — with demolition [and] I had a volunteer here last week helping put in insulation,” says Kent. “So the community has been super supportive. It’s been really great.”
YAN is still looking for more volunteers to help with installing insulation, dry wall and fixtures, and eventually to help with painting.
Anyone interested can contact Kristen Renn at programfacilitator@rosslandyan.ca.
YAN is also still fundraising for the project. Kent says their projection is that they’ll need another $18,000 to finish the north side of the building, which they hope to have completed by the new year. The space will serve as a multi-purpose room.
Cash donations are eligible for a charitable receipt from the City of Rossland and can be made online at http://yanreno.yodel.org or by dropping off or mailing a cheque to Rossland City Hall, Box 1179, Rossland BC, V0G 1Y0. Cheques may be made out to Rossland Youth Action Network — City of Rossland.