Jae Bedford took over management of the centre about six months ago and has made some big changes in a short period of time.
Open from 3pm to 6pm, Wednesday to Friday, the Youth Centre - Oamaru is a place for the young people of North Otago to relax and enjoy activities in a safe, friendly and supervised environment.
Two weeks ago the organisation moved into the old Cafe Katz building in the Ribble St arcade and a low-key opening was held over the weekend.
Now that the centre is in a new and much larger space, Mr Bedford's vision is to create a hub of activity for a variety of community groups.
''There are things to do in Oamaru, but it's our jobs to make these things more accessible and safe for all,'' he said.
''We want it to be a hive of activity, we want it to be busy and we want to see these young people benefit from it.''
The Youth Centre was ''quietly'' partnering with like-minded organisations in the community.
''We're always on the lookout for other organisations out for the same causes, to work together to give the youth of this town a little bit more to do,'' he said.
''Aside from that, we are a Christian organisation. We're not out to convert everybody, but we're here to be a support and mentor these young people, facilitate and advocate for all sorts of situations going on in their lives.''
Mr Bedford said it had been surprising to see how young people opened up at the centre, where they felt comfortable - around the pool table, or over a shared meal.
''Chips - just hot chips in some newspaper, slapped on the table, and they all come round and these age barriers and gender barriers go out the window,'' he said.
Air hockey, pool, table tennis and football, as well as a variety of other games and social activities, are offered to intermediate and secondary school-age children and teenagers.
''We want the community to come in and check it out - we've got lots of ideas for ways this building can be used,'' he said.
Originally from Dunedin, Mr Bedford spent time in Wellington and Christchurch before settling with his wife, Miriam, in Oamaru, where they established the Bedford School of Music, which is also now based in the Ribble St complex.
He has spent many years on the road as a musician but said youth work gave him much more of a buzz than performing on stage.
''I'm a richer man seeing [young people] doing what they do and thriving and having what they need,'' he said.
''Youth work is hugely rewarding. Just seeing young people benefit, and they do benefit from the smallest of things - having somewhere to be - and if we can help them on the way to where they're going, it makes it all so worthwhile.''
Idea Services uses the building regularly as a base for its youth group and Mr Bedford said there were opportunities for other community groups to use the space as well.
