PCYC Wagga: Construction on $23m complex begins

Parkour, photography, pilates, coding and rock climbing are set to feature at Wagga’s brand-new $23 million PCYC centre.

Parkour, photography, pilates, coding and rock climbing are set to feature at Wagga’s brand-new $23 million PCYC centre which recently celebrated its official construction launch.

The NSW Police Citizens Youth Club (PCYC) held a sod turning ceremony on the Fitzhardinge and Edwards St site on Friday, with construction expected to be completed by October 2022.

An artist’s impression of the under-construction PCYC centre. Design: AJ+C

PCYC CEO Dominic Teakle said the revamp of Wagga’s PCYC has been in the plans for years and it felt great to finally have the ‘momentum flowing’ with the start of the construction.

“It’s critical that we all as a community work in giving back,” he said.

“We are so excited to have this new facility and create this connection to community by bringing people together.

“We designed the new facility to be multi dimensional and multi purpose, so there will be courts designated for a range of sports, there will be something for everyone here.”

Supplied Editorial WAGGA PCYC

The new complex will include four sport courts, conference facilities, a 60-person after-school care centre and office space.

It plans to offer a range of exiting new activities including a rock-climbing wall, parkour, boxing, pilates and even creative arts and film workshops.

Wagga PCYC club manager Wayne Flood said he was super thankful for a new club, which will replace the current Gurwood St property built in 1963.

“The new club is a wonderful piece of social infrastructure for Wagga and it’s the new chapter for PCYC Wagga,” Mr Flood said.

“The new building has a lot of considerations – it’s environmentally friendly, it’s in a great location and the new facilities will allow us to strike that balance between maintaining PCYC traditions and jumping into the 21st century with tech based activities such as computer coding, photography and drones.”

Wagga PCYC turning of the sod ceremony Elvein Ibrahim, Rob McKee, Michael McCormack, Rebecca Loughton, Gelina Talbot, Dominic Teakle, Gary Worboys, Greg Conkey, Michael Heenan and Wayne Flood.

Wagga City Council contributed $3 million to the project, with the state and federal governments each providing $10 million.

Riverina Police District superintendent Andrew Spliet said PCYC was a great tool for police and the community to come together and “break down barriers”.

“It gives youth opportunities to learn skills for work, build skills for life and build relationships,” he said. “It also allows police an opportunity to engage with kids in a situation away from the law.

“It diverts attention away from crime and assists in breaking down barriers people may have with police. Whether it be through playing sport or even connecting over a coffee, PCYC is an asset within the community.”

PCYC NSW are currently recruiting for volunteer positions at the new facility.