Parra News March 12 2024

LOCAL NEWS
“Great loss” for our city
Petition launched after confirmation PCYC is set to depart Parramatta in April
ELLIE BUSBY
Locals are rallying around the
Parramatta PCYC after it was
announced the facility is set
to close.
The community were left shocked
after it was recently revealed the
Parramatta PCYC, which has
operated in Parramatta for over 60
years, will be shutting the doors of
its George Street address.
Radio 2GB reported the closure
was due to a “difficult financial
situation”, confirming it will close
down in April.
Since then, over 400 concerned
residents have already signed a petition
calling for the facility to remain
open in Parramatta.
“Parramatta PCYC has been an
integral part of our community for
years, fostering positive relationships
between police and youth
while promoting health and wellbeing,”
the petition said.
“It’s more than just a club; it’s a
place where friendships are formed,
skills are honed, and lives are positively
impacted.
“We urge the relevant authorities
to reconsider this decision. Let us
The community are calling for the Parramatta PCYC to remain open.
keep Parramatta PCYC open for the
benefit of all current members as
well as future generations who will
undoubtedly reap its rewards too.”
City of Parramatta Councillors
have also voiced their frustration at
news of the closure.
“To only be given six weeks to
vacate a premises, I say shame on
you PCYC head office,” Our Local
Community Councillor Michelle
Garrard said.
“The PCYC has served in
Parramatta since 1962 and was
initially at Macquarie Street before
shifting to Hassall Street, its home
for decades, before it was sold
for $31 million to make way for a
multi-storey tower, [which] meant
that headquarters had to relocate to
George Street in 2016.”
Garrard added that with the
current youth crisis, it’s important
that the only primary stakeholder
in Parramatta that supports youth
remains open.
“Not in every child’s instance, but
a lot of kids that go through there
have had problems at home and
haven’t had stability. What they get
in relation to leadership, mentoring
and the programs that the PCYC
offer do more than a program,” she
said.
“These kids without the PCYC
could be going into juvenile detention.
PCYC give them a way out and
offer programs to try to get them
back on track.
“This is going to be a great loss to
Parramatta.”
Labor Councillor Sameer Pandey
said Parramatta PCYC is “such an
important service.”
“I do want to thank the volunteers
and the board at PCYC Parramatta
for the work that they have been
doing, 5,000 registrations and
subscriptions that they have, 5,000
youths have been registered with
the PCYC Parramatta,” he said.
“They have been around for 62
years and for the PCYC head office
to give them six weeks notice to shut
down this operation is appalling.”
The PCYC did not respond to a
request for comment.
The petition can be found at www.
change.org/p/halt-the-imminentshutdown-of-parramatta-pcyc.
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Tuesday, March 12, 2024 « parra news 3