MOOSOMIN — Shellie Silverthorn was at the Sept. 10 Moosomin Chamber of Commerce meeting to present her business idea of creating a youth centre.
“I have created a business idea, it’s called The Hideout,” Silverthorn explained. “It’s designed for children and families—specifically teens— where they can come together. They can be themselves, they can be teens, and they can enjoy time together as well.”
The proposed teen centre would feature after-school to evening activities, including a central area where Silverthorn envisions an arcade atmosphere.
“They can just go there, hang out with their friends, just enjoy their time together without feeling that they have to be cruising around town, biking around town, and just want to be safe,” she said. “In the main area, there will be arcade games for tokens. So then that way kids can come in play as you go, but buy packages as well.”
Other aspects of the centre would also allow youth to deal with stressful situations in a healthy way.
“Another part of that will be the rage room,” Silverthorn said. “I find that with a lot of our youth, we have a lot of anxiety and depression—times that they feel alone and times that they need an outreach.”
The rage room would utilize an exercise Silverthorn has facilitated with her teens involving writing down any anxieties on a dinner plate, then smashing the item—and all the negative feelings associated with the item.
“It is one of the best releases that you can have in a controlled setting where you don’t feel like you’re going to hurt anyone, where you don’t feel like anybody’s judging you,” Silverthorn said. “This is their space.”
The centre could also be a gathering place for younger children and their caregivers, allowing the adults to enjoy fellowship and coffee while the children play in a safe environment.
One question from the floor was if the facility would be staffed, which Silverthorn confirmed it would be. She also noted potential staff would be required to possess certain training and clearances associated with centres that engage youth.
What Silverthorn is looking for help with is procuring the physical space for the centre to call home, whether that be on a rental basis or purchasing property.
Chamber president Kevin Weedmark suggested Silverthorn meet with the Economic Development Committee and EDO Casey McCormac for a closer look at the youth centre plans.
