Call to reopen 'scandal' Paignton youth centre

'No ifs, no buts, just do it'

Pressure is growing on Torbay Council to review the use of the Parkfield youth centre in Paignton.

The centre was built in 2011 using £6 million of government money. Partly designed by the town’s young people themselves, it was intended to become a hub for community youth services and included a BMX track, sports hall, climbing wall, recording studio, cafe and skate park.

One of the youngsters involved in the design said it had taken his breath away when he first saw the finished building.

Now the track is in need of repair and while the skate park is the only one in town following the closure of the facility in Victoria Park, it is not suitable for very young skaters or beginners. Other facilities are underused, and many people in Paignton are unaware the centre even exists.

The main building itself, constructed under the government’s MyPlace community initiative, is currently being used by the Medical Tuition Service (MTS), which caters for children who are unable to attend other schools because of their medical needs.

MTS occupies the building on a nominal rent, having been granted a 25-year lease in 2021. The council spent £600,000 adapting the building for it.

There have been reports of another school being offered space in Parkfield later this year, but a council spokesman said MTS would continue to be based there.

An earlier scheme to transfer another local school into Parkfield was shelved in 2018.

Meanwhile, the council is being urged to re-open the centre for the community.

This is not the first time the local community has tried to step in and take control of the new Parkfield centre. As long ago as 2017 local groups lobbied to take it over from the council, saying it was failing in its aims.

Richard Kaskow of the pressure group Action For Paignton described the Parkfield issue as a ‘scandal’ and claimed that just a handful of children currently use MTS.

A council spokesman said MTS had a ’reach’ of 68 pupils across Torbay, all with differing needs which require support for them to access education.

A former youth and sports development worker, Mr Kaskow said Parkfield should be available for the whole community to use every day of the week as an activity and social centre.

“Let's get serious about the youth service and wider community in the bay and reopen it this September,” he said. “No ifs, no buts, just do it.”

The alternative, he said, would be for Torbay Council to give the government its £6 million back.

“It has failed miserably to deliver what it promised at the time of applying for the MyPlace grant,” he added.

The council spokesman said: “Parkfield has a number of extra activities relating to the delivery of youth services as stipulated as part of the deed of covenant.

“There are also further plans to deliver the Saturday club, sessions for care-experienced young people and young carers, as well as work to support our elected home-educated children.”

The spokesman said the council was lucky to have the support of local voluntary and community groups in delivering some youth activities.

And, the statement went on: “There are a number of services that collaborate to provide activity outside of term time and school hours and are increasing the activity at Parkfield.

“The Youth Service, which is part of our family hubs, runs regular sessions throughout the year and increases its offer from the centre during the holidays. Sessions are delivered in partnership with Reach Outdoors, Torquay United Community Sports Trust and the YMCA.”