BOYLE – Boyle’s Youth Centre (BYC) is turning into the spot to be for the village’s young teens thanks to a variety of programming and word of mouth.
Since 2022, the centre’s average usage has gone from around eight kids a day to 15 or 16, and it had it’s all time highest attendance peak at 22 kids recently. With more kids using the centre, costs have gone up however, and staff are turning to the village for help.
“We were extremely impressed with the usage and just the way the ladies have turned things around over the last few years. There’s so many kids using it and the whole attitude is that the kids are sad when they aren’t there,” said Village of Boyle Mayor Colin Derko.
“It’s been a real treat to work with this crew they have there now.”
Members of BYC’s staff, including program coordinator Shelley Chrapko, presented their case to Boyle’s council during its regular council meeting Nov. 6, where they highlighted the stats, costs, and overall objectives the team is working on.
“The kids are coming out of their shell a bit more, they’re playing with more kids, they’re not so shy, it’s nice to see,” said Chrapko. “It’s becoming a place that kids just pop in and ask ‘Is so-and-so here, can I see if they’re here?’It’s really just an open door.”
The centre is open three days a week, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, and Chrapko makes sure to have a different activity each day. Whether that’s wellness, arts and crafts, outdoor events, or field trips to the police station or fire hall, there’s always something new to do.
“A lot of the time, the kids create their own games which is really interesting to see. Really, it’s anything to keep them occupied, behaving, and socializing. That’s our goal,” said Chrapko.
In 2024, the centre received $15,000 from the village, up from $5,000 in 2023. The money makes up the vast majority of the fundraising budget, which also includes $1,000 from Al-Pac, $250 from Athabasca County, and around $3,000 from individual fundraising. In total, the centre raised $20,342 in 2024.
At the current rate of funding, the centre won’t run out of money, hence the request for the $15,000 to remain for 2025. BYC spent $19,400 in 2024, with payroll expenses and rent being the largest factors.
“It costs us $0.75 per kid, per day for a kid to come here every day,” said Chrapko. “It’s actually quite low for what we need, and that’s for three-and-a-quarter hours of programming.”
Councillors haven’t officially committed to the full $15,000 funding — they’ll have to discuss it during budget deliberations — but Derko acknowledged how important services like the BYC are to the health of the community.
“They really bring a lot of confidence to the existing residents and also to possible incoming residents that their kids have after school programs to go to,” he said. “It helps parents make plans as far as work and living in the community go, so it makes a big difference. It’s also extremely important to big employers in the area because it helps them attract employees.”
Softer programming like youth centres or after-school care can get lost in the budget shuffle — they’re certainly less noticeable than a pothole on main street — but Derko said his council is committed to funding the opportunities the village needs.
“You just need to be involved in the community, talking with the users to understand how important it is to families and individuals that live in the area or potentially want to move here,” he said.
“Council’s extremely proud of this group and what they’re doing in the community.”
