The Slocan Valley Youth Centre will close for September so staff can address what they call an sa国际传媒渋ncrease in intoxication, bullying and vandalismsa国际传媒� at the centre and in the community.

A statement dated Aug. 21 from the W.E. Graham Community Service Society board of directors said the Slocan centre will shut down from Sept. 1 to Oct. 1 while programming changes are made.

sa国际传媒淭he programming needs to be redirected to create a more positive experience for youth and the greater community,sa国际传媒� said the statement.

Executive director Miryam Bishop declined to tell the Star if there were specific examples of behaviour that led to the decision. The break, she said, will help staff re-evaluate the centresa国际传媒檚 services.

sa国际传媒淲e just want to take a pause basically to have time to make these changes so we can support the changing needs of the youth and the community,sa国际传媒� said Bishop.

While the specifics of the programming changes arensa国际传媒檛 yet known, Bishop said an extra room will be added to the building, which sits next to W.E. Graham Elementary.

The centre, which opened in 1997, offers drop-in hours for youth aged 12 to 18 from 7 to 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday nights.

Slocan Mayor Jessica Lunn said she doesnsa国际传媒檛 believe there has been an increase in intoxication or vandalism within the village or the surrounding area, but she supports the youth centresa国际传媒檚 desire to reconsider its services.

sa国际传媒淲ith young people in general, in every community we want to make sure we are supporting our youth, that they have positive activities to engage in,sa国际传媒� said Lunn.

sa国际传媒淚 think the youth centre has done a great job so far and I think theresa国际传媒檚 an increased popularity for youth from the whole valley to come to the centre, so I think itsa国际传媒檚 great they are looking at their programming.sa国际传媒�

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tyler.harper@nelsonstar.com
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