A Pincher Creek space that has served young people for nearly four decades is entering a new phase, as Group Group Youth Society restarts operations following a period of closure and transition.

With a newly renovated facility and the hiring of co-ordinator Lieve Parisis, the organization has begun welcoming children and teens back to its Waterton Avenue youth centre ahead of a planned grand opening on May 2.

Founded in 1987, the non-profit society provides a free, supervised space for kids aged six to 18 to socialize, take part in activities and build life skills. The centre’s recent temporary closure followed the retirement of its executive director, Lynne Teneckye, who led the organization for more than 30 years.

Lou Burnham, the society’s board president, says the closure, though sudden, provided time to refresh the space and prepare for a new chapter.

“We just did a complete cleanup in there. We redecorated it and made some changes,” she says. “It’s a complete change inside — it looks really good.”

Renovations included repainting, reconfiguring parts of the interior to create a more open layout, and adding new furniture and equipment.

Parisis, who stepped into her new role last month, has lived in Pincher Creek for nearly 17 years and works as an educational assistant at a local school. She previously owned and operated the Waffle Wagon, Pincher Creek’s first food truck.

“I like working with children. I like working with youth,” she says. “I thought I had some energy left over that I wanted to put to good use and I looked for something that I would really not see as a job, but something that I really enjoyed doing.”

The centre is currently open three days a week — Thursdays from 4 to 9 p.m., and Fridays and Saturdays from 3:30 to 8:30 p.m. — with plans to expand hours as participation grows.

Youths have access to a wide range of activities, from games and crafts to cooking and sports.

“We have foosball, computers, Xbox, air hockey, lots of craft supplies, board games and a reading nook,” Parisis says.

Weekly highlights include baking sessions, creative projects and supervised trips to the town hall gym.

The reopened centre is already drawing strong interest. On one recent evening, nearly 20 youths showed up.

“We’re basically here to offer a safe place for all kids to hang out, but also to build friendships and social skills,” Parisis says. “Kids are meeting new friends here, sometimes outside of their school or sports groups.”

“Some kids don’t get the opportunity to try certain things,” she says. “When we were baking cupcakes, one boy said it was his first time cracking an egg. Those little things matter.”

In the short term, Parisis says her priority is to establish consistent programming and encourage more kids to come to the centre.

Looking ahead, she hopes to expand programming to include leadership opportunities, homework support and hands-on learning. Plans are underway for a community gardening project, where kids will learn to grow vegetables and plants with the help of local volunteers.

“I want to make the centre about the youth. I want them to tell me what they want to do here,” Parisis says. “I would like to create leadership roles.”

She also hopes to involve more community members, from tradespeople to artists, in delivering programs that expose youths to a wider range of skills and experiences.

“Through recreation, we’re trying to find what else we can offer the kids to help them move forward in life,” she says.

Both Parisis and Burnham emphasize the centre’s role as a safe and supportive space for young people.

Burnham says the society is also working to strengthen connections with the broader community, including schools and businesses.

“We’re going to be looking at completely different programs to try,” she says. “We’re talking to the schools and different businesses in town to see if they would like to come in and show the youth how to do some stuff and teach them something.”

Community support will be key to the centre’s success moving forward. The organization is currently seeking volunteers and donations to help expand its offerings.

“We’re always looking for people who can come in and share skills,” Parisis says.

Donations of books, furnishings or snacks for prizes are also welcome.

The society has launched a contest to rename the centre, aiming to create a more recognizable and engaging identity.

“We are called Group Group Youth Society. But nobody really knows where that name comes from,” Parisis says.

“So, we are having a Name the Centre contest going on for the whole community to participate in, where we are asking the community to come up with a name that would be fitting and easy to say.”

Burnham encourages residents to visit the centre and see its impact firsthand.

“It’s a little gem in our town,” she says. “Parents know their kids are safe here and the kids enjoy it. That’s what matters.”

For Parisis, the early days of reopening have already highlighted the centre’s value.

“One girl told me she keeps coming back because it’s such a fun place to hang out and make new friends,” she says. “That’s exactly what we want this place to be.”

The grand opening on May 2 will welcome the community to tour the renovated space and learn more about its programs and future plans.

Anyone interested in volunteering, joining the board or learning more about Group Group Youth Society can contact the centre at 403-627-4616.

Updates regarding programming and operating hours can be found on the organization’s website at groupgroupyouth.org or on social media.