Lommel (The Brussels Morning Newspaper): Mayor Bob Nis (CD&V) announced a new multifunctional youth center for ages 12-24, addressing youth homelessness and community needs. Despite local concerns about noise and parking, plans proceed with acoustic studies and the removal of 45 parking spots.
According to Mayor Bob Nijs (CD&V), the new youth center is meant to be more than just a regular place for young people to hang out. The plan is to make it a multifunctional space that acts as both a meeting point and a comfortable home for people aged 12 to 24. This center is especially important for those in the community who don’t have a stable home or a safe place to go. Nijs points out that the city’s youth have been asking for this kind of supportive environment for a long time, showing how much they need it.
What steps will Lommel take to address youth center concerns?
The mayor’s concern is for young people facing unstable living conditions. The youth center is intended to address this issue by providing a social space along with a sense of belonging and security. By going beyond the typical expectations of a youth center, the project demonstrates a commitment to addressing youth homelessness and creating a community where all young people can feel at home.
The youth center is meant to be a place where young people can party, do homework, and join workshops, plus get help with any questions they have. It’s next to a cultural center, which should help bring the community together. However, some local residents are worried about noise from parties and parking issues. They feel there wasn’t enough communication about the plans, so they started petitions. Peter Vanderkrieken, the Alderman for Youth, admits that it was tough to communicate during the pandemic but believes the community had enough chances to share their opinions.
Acoustic studies were done to help reduce noise from the youth center by building a corridor next to the concert area. Even though many people are against it, 45 parking spots will be removed for the new building. The alderman thinks this won’t cause parking issues since he always finds spots about 500 meters away. Residents suggested two other places for the center, but the old bus site is too polluted, and they want to use De Volksmacht for childcare. Now, some residents have hired a lawyer and are thinking about taking legal action.
