For many years, teens who sat on the New Westminster youth advisory committee must have felt like longtime Vancouver Canucks fans do.

At the start of every year, lots of promise and wishful thinking. In the end, nothing to show for it.

But, unlike Canucks fans, those on the advisory committee—and all youth in the city—no longer have to say ‘Maybe next year.’

Their long promised youth centre is finally being built.

“The last time I looked they had done some demolition and they’re putting in the foundations now,” said Isabel Gomez-Garcia, who has sat on the city’s youth advisory committee for five years.

Youth in New West have been asking for the youth centre for at least 10 years.

“Every year we would ask for it to be part of (city) budget and there was always something else that needed funding instead,” said the New Westminster secondary school student.

But now that the city is dedicated to it, thanks to partial funding from the federal and provincial governments, there’s another challenge.

Youth and seniors at Century House have set the goal of raising $200,000 to furnish the centre, a cost not covered in the construction budget.

The money will be used to pay for more than just tables and chairs. The plan is for the centre to have a computer lab so teens can work on homework. New computers and printers are required to make that a reality.

There’s also a gym and weight room planned, so sports equipment is required. A lounge and kitchen will also need things like sofas, a TV and kitchen appliances.

The teens have a long-term partnership with the seniors established because Century House was a temporary home for the youth centre. Their new centre is also being built alongside the seniors’ facility in Moody Park.

Earlier this month the Century House Association kicked off the fundraising campaign by handing over a $20,000 donation. On Monday the Rotary Club of New Westminster came through with a $5,000 donation.

The campaign has now raised $38,000.

“It’s definitely achievable,” said Gomez-Garcia. “As the community becomes more aware and know about it, more people will donate.”

For information on the campaign visit www.youthcentreatmoodypark.ca.