Night time Junction fears prove unfounded

Fears that a new €645,000 youth and community building would become a magnet for night-time anti-social behaviour have proved unfounded.

That’s according to The Junction manager, Jean Tierney, who confirmed the centre hasn’t received any complaints from residents about problems since the new building was officially opened on June 18, 2011.
Before the centre was opened, a campaign of opposition was mounted by some householders, who expressed fears that elderly people in particular could be subjected to anti-social behaviour at night.

Once adults and teenagers complete their activities and programmes, the centre closes at 9.30pm and all participants are asked to respect the local environment and neighbourhood.

Ennis Town Council was the contracting authority for the construction of the building and has leased it to Clare Youth Service.

Ennis Town Council’s objective was to enhance community-based facilities through the provision of an imaginatively designed building that would address the social, recreational and welfare needs of the youth primarily and the wider community additionally.

“The use of the building by groups from the wider community, including the elderly, is also a key objective in achieving inclusiveness in the local communities. The building accommodates other uses in response to community needs and requirements. In this regard, the building acts as a focal point for capacity building and community empowerment,” said a council spokesman.

The project costs amounted to €645,000 of which €357,000 was allocated to Ennis Town Council under the Social and Community Facilities Capital Scheme 2006. The balance of the capital expenditure was provided from Ennis Town Council’s own resources.

Ms Tierney told The Clare Champion the centre has fitted in very well into the local community. Last November, a mass was held for people in Hermitage and afterwards more than 100 people came to the centre for refreshments.

Having started out as a volunteer in Toonagh Youth Club, Ms Tierney also volunteered in Cloughleigh Youth Club about 20 years ago.

The Toonagh native spent about 10 years working as a volunteer with the Clare Youth Service before she qualified as a youth and community worker and spent the next 10 working with the service, starting in Carmody Street, Ennis.

Working with teenagers, Ennis Town Council and Fr Seán Sexton, the need for a new building to provide space for activities in the Cloughleigh area was identified.

This set the seeds for the Junction, which was essentially designed by young people and it became a reality thanks to the support of Ennis Town Council and other bodies.

It was furnished and kitted out through fundraising and allocations from the HSE, Clare Local Development Company (CLDC) and other local organisations.

Efforts are made to organise at least one or two functions a year where young people and adults work in co-operation to provide a festival or gathering.

A celebration for people who supported the centre was provided with food and refreshments during the first Christmas after it opened to the public.

The Youth Café is a safe space designed and managed by and for young people with support and supervision from trained adult volunteers and professional staff.

It is a café style space where young people can relax and socialise while having access to information, support programmes and services.

A chill-out space is provided for teenagers to play pool, fussball, use the internet, listen to music and have tea or coffee every Tuesday and Friday afternoon and also on Sundays.