One of the key proposals in ARCHES’ strategy was to do something for the young people of the area, a commendable but challenging task. There were flourishing uniformed groups in the town but little other youth provision, especially since the closure of Randalstown High School in 1994. The aim was to establish a cross-community facility in a neutral venue to keep young people off the streets and involve them in meaningful activities. An amount of funding had been secured from Peace and Reconciliation money administered by Antrim Borough Partnership to set up this facility.
With help and advice from a number of sources including the project manager, Ronnie Pedlow, a group of about 40 people interested in helping was assembled and a meeting was held at which a committee of 10 was elected to progress the project. Originally the old Drummaul Parish Hall in New Street, which at the time was for sale and which the group hoped to rent, was the chosen venue. Unfortunately this did not materialise and the group turned their attention to the vacant flat above 41 Main Street which they eventually rented with funding from BBC Children In Need. The P & R funding was used to make necessary alterations to the premises which was done by Samuel Fry.
The Drop-In Centre opened in January 1999 and was open for 4 evenings per week. Volunteers attended on a rota basis and organised a variety of activities for the young people who attended and who came from both Catholic and Protestant backgrounds. In addition, in 2000, a suite of 8 computers was purchased with funding from the Rural Development Council and installed in the Drop-In Centre providing much-needed extra facilities.
