11:59am Monday 22nd March 2010
By Jen Rivett
A YOUTH club has launched a £300,000 fundraising drive to build a new hall.
Woodstock Youth Club meets at its base in Recreation Road, which was built 50 years ago as a temporary building.
Club leaders want to replace the wooden structure with a new brick building, which will have higher ceilings, so youngsters can play sports.
The new building will also have a quiet room, a computer room, an art room, and an improved canteen.
Youth worker Stephanie Hicks said: “We are trying to raise funds to rebuild our very run-down youth centre, as we have a very busy club.
“The hall is literally falling down. We want to get the kids of Woodstock and the neighbouring areas a new youth club.”
The club wants to submit a planning application before approaching organisations, such as the National Lottery, for funds.
Almost £20,000 has already been raised by the club’s 40 members through quiz nights, a hypnosis night, a country-and-western evening, and other sponsored events.
Mrs Hicks also hopes a reunion event for Woodstock Youth Club and Bladon Youth Club, which is now closed, on Friday, May 21, will boost funds further.
She said: “This is to mainly raise money, but also to get the past members back to the club, and maybe use some of their skills in the rebuild. It would be wonderful if the new youth club was built by past members. We are trying to contact as many past members as possible. There are an awful lot of people out there who have been members of the youth club.
“It will be good for everybody to see people they haven’t seen in years. It is for everybody, from those who have just left to those who haven’t been for many years.”
There will be a 70s and 80s disco along with a buffet from 7.30pm to midnight at the reunion. The youth club is open every Tuesday evening between 6pm and 9pm.
Mrs Hicks said: “We have got two pool tables, air hockey, rollerblading — every activity you can think of.”
To find out more about the youth club or reunion, visit woodstockyouthclub.info, or call Mrs Hicks, on 01869 346658.
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