t ; asap nematic F Youth wan - TERRACE YOUTH have come out strongly in favour of a - place of their own, according to early resulis of a survey, The Tertace Youth Centre Development Committee » handed out 11,000 copies of the survey to kids aged 9-18 ' years old, and to interested adults. Approximately 25 per cent of those surveys have been retumed, the great majority from youths. The survey asked young people what recreational facilities they use now and the most common social and recreational activities that interest them, ‘We found a big difference in what males and females wanted,”’ said committee member Shelley Taylor. Results back from youths aged 9-15 indicate there were -quite.a few differences between how boys and girls spend their time, For example, many of the girls want to sce an- _ other or a bigger mall, while boys preferred organized _ Sports. Buta youth centre ranked high on everyone’s wish list. “Over 90 per cent of questionnaires came back wanting ‘a youth centre,’ said Taylor. And she’s encouraged that . younger people took the survey seriously and made com- > ments, Youths aged 9-12 were interested in having video games, _a coffee house and teen employment opportunities in a _ youth centre. Other ideas suggested were life skills work- : shops, study room, clubs, a movie night, a rock climbing : wall, a go carl tack, and mini golf. Gym facilities also . ranked high, “I think it is important for Terrace to have a youth centre to Keep kids out of trouble, but still having fun, wrote one person. ‘I personally know exactly what you mean by ‘teens and substance abuse. My sister attempted. [ don't " want it to happen again.’’ "Kids have nothing to do on the weckends and alter school,”’ commented ane youth, Older youth {aged 33-15) also commented on the impor- tance of a centre to keep teens from doing drugs. .. “There is not enough for Terrace youth to do and there ‘ ate a lot of drugs and alcohol available,’’ wrote one. Many others wrote that a youth centre should ban drugs » and alcohol and show there were better ways to spend their * time. Quite a few even suggesied there should be no * swearing or smoking allowed. + There was also a request that adults respect the needs of + youth, - We are not treated as true adults in society, or as little ‘kids, Therefore, we are sometimes just left in the dust,” - said one writer. Taylor is now getting results back from the older age groups, Many spoke of the need for alternatives io gather- ings where drugs and alcohol are present, Some of the older teens expressed a worry about what 2 ' ; youth centre might cost. ‘Now the plan is to analyze the results and go back to : youths and discuss these findings with them,’”’ said Taylor. > That way some of the more unusual suggestions like a ‘rock climbing wall can be discussed, to see how many * would be in favour. Taylor has been encouraged by the survey responses but : says adults may be hard to convince. ’ Although many adults have identified the need for a centre, even more adults have the perception that it might be a drop-in centre for troubled youth. _ And that means raising moncy for a centre will be dif- , ficult. “People don’t want to pay for this with taxes,” said - Taylor. ‘‘What happened with second sheet of icc {the ' failed referendum) has put a real clincher on anything : going on.’” «. s iy . 1 ‘ a But despite that the commitice will still try to get the town involved, According to the 1991 census, more than one-third of the community is under 20. Taylor isn’t sure how a youth centre might evolve. She can see ties with the planned new building for the Kermode Friendship Centre. “They’re planning a gym complex, and kids are support- ing that in our survey,’’ said Taylor. So her committee might look more at a drop-in centre with a cafe, movies and video games. The committee will also keep an cye on the RCMP’s ‘Nights Alive program. That’s a program where the police plan 1o open a-schoo! during the night for drop in use by iecns. FREE INSPECTION & ESTIMATES & light trucks KEVIN: TERRACE Environment 4526 GREIG AVE. Friendly Non Asbestos Brake Shoes & Pads TERRACE, B.C. 635-7707 1-800-561-7707 for popular domestic cars SALE ENDS JUNE 22ND MALCOLM: KITIMAT 1700 NALABILA, KITIMAT, B.C. 632-7747 1-800-561-7707 “flags life in the fast lane got you ina ime crunch? Then il’s time to drive into Northern Savings. We're serving up the best in ‘banking convénience with our drive-lhrough ATM, the fastest and easiest way to wilhdraw cash, make deposits and pay bills, all without Icaving your vehicle. And it's open 24 hours a day, every day. t own place The Terrace Standard, Wednesday, June 5, 1996 - A3 News Brief HANGING OUT IN the mall is a pastime with youths in Terrace. Local youths were surveyed recently about what they do in their spend time, and if they'd be interested in a youth centre. The majori- ty were — enthusiastic about a youth centre, and suggested {it could host activities such as mavie nights, a cafe and a job centre. First in town NG NORTHERN SAVINGS Terrace Community Branch, 4702 Lazelle Avenue: 638-7822 favourite ~ cal FREE MUG & Tax notices mailed RURAL PROPERTY owners should be receiving their tax notices any day now. Approximately 300,000 notices are going out to be paid by July 2, A late-payment penalty is assessed after that date, A full home owner grant this year has been extended to homes valued up to $525,000 — up from $475,000 last year. Rural property owners can pay their 1996 taxcs at banks and B.C. cred{t unions in addition to government agents. Municipal property owners receive their notices direclly from the municipality in which the property is located. Don’t feed the bears BEAR SIGHTINGS and complaints are on the increase in the Terrace area and conservation officers say that this year could prove especially troublesome. “The cold spring has brought more bears to the valley-botloms,”’ says officer Ken Fujino. ‘‘And they’re really hungry right now as they come out of hibernation.” Fujino reminds residents to be especially cautious this spring because there is a greater potential for bear problems. So remember: — Don’t leave garbage outside. Keep it locked up until pick-up day, — Bring pet food indoors at night, -— Don’i put meat products in your garden compast. — Leave your barbeque on high for five minutes afler cooking to bum off smelly grease and food parti- cles, No poop please HORSE OWNERS who ride down Graham in the southside, and on Halliwell and McConnell on the bench, are drawing criticism. That's because people who use those roads for walk- ing and cycling are getting tired of having to avoid horse poop, says animal control officer Frank Bawsher. ‘They don’t want horses doing their business every- where,’ says Bowsher. He received five calls alone on that issue two weeks ago. While horse poop is probably preferable to the doggy variety, it’s still illegal in those areas, he says. There’s a $50 fine for not cleaning up after your horse on city steels, and Bowsher says he intends to start enforcing il, Accident on airport hill RCMP ARE investigating a two-vehicle collision on airport hill last Friday, May 31. An Excel tractor-trailer unit was tear-ended by a sedan containing two occupants. The driver and passenger of the sedan were picked up by a passing motorist and brought to Mills Memorial Hospital for medical attentlon. The drvier of.‘the tractor-trailer unil was uninjured. ~ Police thank those people that helped at the accident scene, ATM USAGE Open a new account before June 14, 1996 and pou'll enjoy 6 months of FREE : ATAL usage’, plus we'll give you a Norther Savings ceraniic coffec muy. Drive in todey.”* *Soma fastriclions apply. “*Connol be combined with olhor plomolianal offers.