D.I.Y team bid to save Prestwick’s Space Place

Sep 3 2010 by Stuart Wilson, Ayrshire Post (main ed)

DESPERATE youngsters are launching a bid to save their youth centre.

Users of Prestwick’s Space Place say it’s time to get their own hands dirty if they want a future.

So they’ve set up a DIY taskforce to give the facility a top class makeover.

It comes after news that South Ayrshire Council may refuse to fund the centre after October.

The Post revealed last month how cash-strapped council chiefs could only donate £3000 as a stop-gap measure.

And they warned that the centre will now have to find other ways of funding itself.

Now a team of volunteers is preparing to tackle the centre’s image in an effort to win outside funding support.

Team leader Lee Brady admitted: “I was shocked when I read the article in the Ayrshire Post and it made me determined to do something.

“Kids these days tend to ignore great facilities like this and just sit indoors on Facebook. It’s a real shame.

“The council is in a catch 22 situation because they look at the Space Place and struggle to find reasons for funding something which they don’t own.

“But this is such an amazing facility for youngsters in Prestwick and is really important to the town, so we’re determined to do something to help.”

Space Place bosses are now trying to find alternative sources of funding to keep the centre operational.

The facility, which is owned by Ayr United’s Football Academy, is applying for grants to provide a much-needed boost.

And they’ve drawn up ambitious plans to turn the centre into a music rehersal and recording studio, a drop-in cafe and sports/dance fitness suite.

Lee and his team will now decorate the centre and hope the revamp helps with all-important funding for its future.

He said: “The Space Place has been donated paint and we have a growing list of volunteers coming to help.

“In addition to this, we plan on building a stage riser to go with the drum riser already there and help establish the place as one of the best music venues in the area.

“We want to attract a regular following and provide a venue for young bands to play and support larger bands.

“The Space Place is a great facility and it’s somewhere that kids in Prestwick could make such good use of.

“Our aim is to get it back to its best and attract a regular crowd. It’s such an important asset for the town and we should make the most of it.”

Lee and his volunteers will be at the centre this week and welcome any support.