Town of Fortune

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Community-Youth Centre Story

Why purchase such a large building, complete with adjoining sports field? Why not? Why let it go to waste and eventual ruin? Or let some firm from outside the community obtain a lot of second-hand construction materials at an incredible bargain! Some spark of brilliance realized the future potential benefits of owning such a facility. The building was spared. A little ingenuity and a whole lot of work did the rest.

The following year, a Committee was organized to take over operation of the newly named Fortune Community & Youth Centre. Starting with a donation of $50 from the Marine Service Centre, this Committee began its task of creating an alternate life and purpose for the 27-year-old structure.

Lake Academy staff and workers of Fishery Products International (FPI) contributed a substantial amount of funding. Donations of $1 per week were deducted from their earnings. Financial support was also provided by a number of local business establishments.

Funding for operating costs has come from a variety of sources, such as rental fees, canteen proceeds, flea markets and dances, etc. fortune Community & Youth Centre is now financially self-supporting.

The Centre opened for business in the summer of 1996. At that time only one Games Room was operational. The official opening was held on 13 September 1997. Janet Hanham, winner of both gold and bronze medals in the 1997 Special Olympics World Winter Games, cut the ribbon.

At present, every room in the Fortune Community & Youth Centre is being utilized. The gymnasium is used for sports (floor hockey, indoor soccer, volleyball, basketball), dances, concerts, and many other things. Youth Centre rooms offer such activities as pool, computers and games, movies and darts, plus a well-equipped Play Centre for preschool-age children.

The Centre itself was required to purchase only one of its five computer systems. FPI donated three and the remaining one came from Centrac College. This kind of support makes any venture more meaningful for all involved.

An impressive collection of games systems include three Nintendo 64's; four Super Nintendo; two Sega Genesis; two Virtual Boy; and two Arcade machines. Other equipment includes four pool tables, two ping-pong tables, one Shuffleboard and a jukebox. All of these features are appreciated by the young people who use them on a daily basis.

Other rooms in the facility are used by various organizations and groups periodically for meetings. Among them are the Fortune Recreation Commission, Line Dancers, Health & Fitness groups, youth and seniors groups, sports associations, unions and the Coast Guard.

Fortune Community & Youth Centre boasts the most extensively stocked weight training and aerobic equipment on the entire Burin Peninsula. Space may be rented by groups or individuals for parties, banquets, conventions, or tournaments. In July-August 1998, the Centre provided one room, free of charge, to Heritage Fortune Inc., for the purpose of establishing a temporary Community Museum. Most recently, an Employment Assistance Service Office opened in the Centre. This office provides a variety of employment-related services to the immediate area.

The Community & Youth Centre Committee, and the Teen Committee, has always been very active and efficient. In October 1977, the Teen Committee set up its first Halloween Haunted House display. An estimated 350-400 people visited the attraction, now an annual fund-raiser and a whole lot of fun.

Visitors from other parts of the province have been impressed with the overall operation. They applaud what the Centre is doing for the people of the town and the area. Reliable sources have indicated that no other youth center on the island is better equipped. Frequent requests are received from representatives of other towns wishing to tour the facility for information and ideas. The Committee makes every effort to comply with these requests.

In essence, the Committee has given the building a new lease on life. At the same time, it is providing a much-needed facility to keep the young people occupied as well as entertained. The entire town is proud of this facility and appreciates the hard work and dedication of the Committees involved.

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