Oct 28, 2008 - 11:21 AM

By Jeff Hayward

UXBRIDGE -- Slowly, they started coming through the door.

"I'm just coming to check things out," said Tom Ban, a Grade 13 student. "I've been hearing about this youth centre for so long, and it's finally here."

It took all of 28 minutes for the first visitor of the day to walk through the doors of the Brock Street youth centre on Thursday, Oct. 23, which officially opened in grand style the day before.

Twenty-two minutes later, in walked Kristen Soltys, a Grade 11 student. "I saw your sign and wanted to use the Internet," she said to Vanessa Slater, the youth centre's director. "I have no Internet at home."

The centre has three donated computers, all hooked into the Net and ready to go.

Not long after, a group of four curious youths wandered into the facility and jumped at the chance to use the computers. One member of that group sat on a donated couch, eyeing a big screen television, also handed over to the centre for free. There's no cable hook up, and the centre is looking for residents to donate an electronic gaming system and a DVD player to bring the television to life.

The day before, the scene inside the centre was a bit different. The youth centre committee hosted a grand opening from 4 to 7 p.m. drawing several local dignitaries, members of the Durham Regional Police Service, and youth to hear speeches and enjoy the free food laid out for them.

The grand kickoff also attracted Police Chief Mike Ewles. "I think it's critically important we offer these after-school programs for those kids who may not have someone to go home to," said the chief. "It gives them some options as opposed to becoming involved in mischief or criminal behaviour."

The chief noted police are running a youth program in Whitby, in partnership with two churches. "The response has been overwhelming," he said. "It shows (youth) police have a very human side to them as well."

Incidentally, the youth visiting 34 Brock St. W. will be sharing the building with police, who will occupy the rear of the facility separated by a door. But official staffing hours for officers haven't been worked out yet, said North Durham Staff Inspector Brian Fazackerley, also on hand for the opening. The inspector noted residents can use a hotline mounted on the outside of the building to be connected with the nearest police officer.

The police previously staffed the building on Wednesdays, but interior damage due to a leaky roof late last year forced them out. Extensive repairs were performed, prolonging the process to open the youth centre.

It was almost three years from the first meeting of the youth centre committee in early 2006 to the moment its dream to open the centre, if only a temporary location, was realized. "I think some of us weren't sure this day was ever going to come," said Ms. Slater. "There's been lots of hurdles, it's long overdue."

The centre will initially be open two days a week, a drop-in from 3 to 5 p.m. on Thursdays, and a jam session from 7 to 10 p.m. on Fridays. "We're not expecting a mad rush (initially)," said Ms. Slater. "It's a slow build."

To assist with future programming, John Stafford of the Ontario Trillium Foundation announced an $80,000 grant over two years for the Uxbridge centre, receiving a round of applause from those on hand at the grand opening.

Said Ms. Slater, "We made it to the end of the beginning."