The Weyburn Youth Centre is ready to start up their fall programs. They have some exciting announcements coming in the next few days, as well as a new employee at the centre.

One of their big changes this summer was the upgrades made to the skate park. The park was built back in 2005 and executive director Brian Hopfe said it was time for some maintenance.

“The Skate Park was in need of some repairs, and I was trying to figure out how we could do that. We got the ramps from Steinbach and I contacted them to come out and fix them, and it was going to cost thousands of dollars to do that. I got thinking, ‘I wonder if anyone around town would be able to,’” Hopfe said.

“I remembered about A1 Stucco, who actually grouted the ramps in when we built the deck. I wondered if they could do that, so I called and they told me they’d come take a look. They said, ‘yeah I think we can possibly do it.’ To make a long story short they did! And did a fantastic job,” Hopfe exclaimed. “They donated the time and the material and everything else. We truly appreciate it. I know the kids really appreciate it, it sure beats having bumps and ruts.”

He estimates the repairs would have cost thousands of dollars, which was something the Centre just couldn’t afford. There was a lot of work that went into completing the upgrade project, accord to Hopfe.

“Anybody that works with concrete knows it’s really hard to get concrete to bind to old concrete. They had to grind off some of the existing concrete so that it would adhere better,” he said. “They also had to grind off some of the paint – it’s a special paint that’s on it and they had to grind that down so the concrete would fit better.”

Hopfe is overjoyed at the generosity of A1 and believes it’s the community spirit. He says it’s acts like this one that keep the Youth Centre thriving.

“That’s the joy of living in a small community. Neighbour helping neighbour, people helping one another. We at the Youth Centre can’t exist without it. I just want to give a shout out to A1 Stucco and say thank you so much.”

The fall schedule for the Drop In program will open up by the mid to end of September. The Grade 7 to 12 Bro’s program will start by the end of the month.