Lismore PCYC had a celebration yesterday to officially reopen the centre to the community.

It was at time emotional, as police officers, politicians, community groups, builders, school students, and others, looked back at how far they have come since the natural disaster. 

PCYC Club Manager Greg Ironfield was chuffed to see the building full again, and excited for the future of the club.

“It's a really big day for us with the official reopening… the club has had a major facelift, both upstairs and downstairs,” he said

“We've got the state-of-the-art gymnastics happening already, and now we've just finally got the last piece of equipment for some other activities downstairs, so we can get back into our martial arts.”

“Safer drivers’ courses are still going, and a couple of new programs started up here for kids, and the success has been enormous and really well received by the community.”

“Gymnastics we're up to around 400 kids a week that come up to the gymnastics, and we're getting 30 kids for our Fit for Life on Tuesday morning, and also 30 kids on a Friday night for our Unite program.”

PCYC Chief Executive Officer Dominic Teakle said there was a fantastic history within the Lismore organisation.

“It's important that we look back to look forward,” he said.

“Lots of people in the community bonded together to say, we have a need [for a club] here, and brick by brick, they built this club… and many of those life members and others are here today.”

“[They] heard the call and are still serving in a voluntary sense… so that legacy continues, and when I speak to young people about what it means to serve, it’s remembering to be grateful for what went before.”

“I recognise that we wouldn't be here today without the amazing work of our police officers… they are in and amongst the community all the time.”

“When you see the kids come in droves, as they did this morning, with smiles on their face - potentially from a disadvantage or potentially a background that may have had negative implications on police - but they come happily here because it's safe.”

“[They] bring that community of policing together, to help ensure our young people can be the best versions of themselves.”

“I don't see bad kids in our clubs, I've never seen bad kids, I've seen kids with rich potential.”