“We’re really big on building relationships with kids,” PCYC Kidzcare Co-ordinator Teneka Thorneycroft said.

These school holidays the PCYC is fully booked for its vacation care program that runs everything from gymnastics and fitness, cooking and art, and hands-on fun like making rainbow slime.

“Today was rainbow day because they liked the colours so we structured the whole day around it with cupcakes, rainbow colours, rainbow slime, rainbow weaving and family portraits,” Ms Thorneycroft said.

2017 marks a milestone for the PCYC which celebrates 80 years in NSW, and Wagga is looking towards a new purpose-built centre to meet the community’s growing needs.

Gurwood Street will be replaced with a $22 million purpose built centre on the corner of Fitzhardinge Street and Sturt Highway, next to Robertson Oval. 

State and Federal Government funding has yet to be formally granted, however the PCYC said they’ve cleared the South Wagga Bowling Club site confident of a speedy resolution.

“They’ve given as good an indication as you can receive,” said PCYC Regional Manager Brett Somerville.

“It’s probable we will be in there by 2020. We’re ready to go pending the government go-ahead,” he said.

Since 1963, the current PCYC Gurwood Street building has been a hub of activity for the very young to the young at heart.

The value of PCYC to Wagga’s community fabric cannot be overstated; as well as holiday care, the club fosters leadership programs, direct links with youth in trouble with the law, and activities including boxing for young to those in their sixties.

Two police officers and 18 staff provide the role models for strength and fair play that youth crave, especially those who fall through the cracks and end up in the police programs.

“They’re a bit standoffish at first but police are experts at breaking down barriers and we teach them the consequences of their actions,” PCYC Club Manager Blake Dunn said.

“I’ve seen kids that are much more engaged in programs than they’ve been at previous places,” he said.