It has been a labour of love to get Clutha district's newest youth centre, "The Corporate Box", operating in Owaka.
Clutha district youth co-ordinator Daniel Maze said nine teenagers created the youth centre as part of Making A Difference (MAD), a leadership programme he runs.
Catlins teenagers Isaac MacCreadie, Cameron Burgess, Jessica Cairns, Leah Barron, Holly McPhee, Rowan Parker, Hayden Cockburn, Claudia Dodds and Nicole Cuthbert took part.
"They've worked with the community and have put a lot of time and energy into it. It's come a long way from old rugby clubrooms to this," Mr Maze said.
The renovations cost about $4000, and were supported by a long list of individuals and groups through money, gave supplies and time, he said.
The Owaka Lions Club gave $1000 and the time of many of its members; builder Regan Maze (Mr Maze's brother) provided MDF sheets and Wayne Hollows, also a builder, used his tools and "know how", to name only a few sponsors.
Mr Maze said the nine teenagers, aged 15 to 18, came up with the idea themselves, working with community members after school and during weekends for six months until the centre opened on Friday.
Owaka's combined sports bodies gave the group use of the building, which is beside the township's sports ground.
Walls, basins and showers were removed, and new windows and carpets put in. The centre comprises three rooms: a main room with a jukebox machine, booths, and a heat pump; kitchen with a fussball table and a room with a pool table and projector. A row of photographs showing the project's progress lines the walls of the centre's main room.
Programme member Leah Barron said the youth centre was a great project and had been "a lot of fun" to work on.
