FERMOY YOUTH CAFE GOES TO PLANNING!
Councillors have welcomed news that planning for a youth cafe has been applied for at the site of the old fire station at Newmarket Street in Fermoy.
Clare O’Mahony of CDYS (Cloyne Diocesan Youth Services) expressed her delight with the news, “We are very excited and it’s finally visual now. The planning permission sign is up for all the public to see. We have been working with architect, Colin Ryan, who has done up plans and we are consulting with the teenagers to get their feedback.”
A LONG TIME
Clare added that it has been frustrating as it is taking a long time, but said that it is important that everything is done properly.
“All going well, we will be granted planning so we can then proceed to the tendering stage. A lot of internal work needs to be done so, I guess, we would be hopeful for an opening before the end of the year.”
“Young people, they will have a sense of ownership around it and a say in how it’s run. And, it will be a relief for parents to know that their kids are safe. We manage another youth cafe in Mallow so we do have experience and will bring that to this facility in Fermoy as well”.
“I am very hopeful it will go well, and it would be nice to envisage us having joint events with the youth cafes in both Mitchelstown and Mallow, get our youth mixing with other communities,” Clare concluded.
A GREAT BENEFIT
Cllr Noel McCarthy said that a youth cafe in Fermoy town would be a great benefit for all the young people, both living in the town and surrounding areas.
“We only have to look at our neighbouring town of Mitchelstown to see the success they have had over the last 12 months. I have heard from colleagues of mine how well it is going. Young people love going there at weekends where they can meet new friends and have a good time. Since the closure of the old fire station it has been like a derelict building and it has to be welcomed it will once again be occupied.”
Cllr Aileen Pyne added that the young people of Fermoy are crying out for a youth cafe, “We have had meetings going on for about three years, firstly to try and locate a suitable location. I welcome that we are now at the planning application stage.”
Published:
Monday 28th March 3:32pm
