The Anne Youth Center area needs modernization

September 23, 2021

If you walk past the Anne Youth Center building, from the outside it doesn't initially seem like a youth center. In the yard, apart from a ping-pong table, there are no attractions that would invite young people and Tartu residents to spend their free time and resemble a youth center. Specifically, the Anne Youth Center's yard has remained unchanged since 1969 and is in urgent need of renovation and modernization. In spring, the staff of the Anne Youth Center decided to submit a project to the participatory budget so that the Anne Youth Center's yard could finally get a more attractive appearance with the help of Tartu residents. Ideas were sought from the local community and young people on what they would like to see in this area in the future.

In addition to the open youth centre, the building located at Uus 56 daily hosts several institutions offering hobby activities, and Aleksander Pushkin School is located next to the building. The creation of a leisure park in the Anne youth centre area would therefore benefit many – visitors to the youth centre, students of hobby schools operating in the Anne building, extreme sports enthusiasts, students of Pushkin School, and the Annelinn community are all welcome, totaling thousands of Tartu residents.

The creation of a leisure park would bring diverse and varied activities for all ages to the youth centre area. For example, within the project, there are plans to build a six-meter-wide mini-ramp for extreme sports enthusiasts, a slackline, hammocks, in-ground trampolines for young people and the young at heart, and a covered terrace with seating areas for the Annelinn community.

A miniramp would bring back extreme sports enthusiasts to Annelinn, who have so far had to practice skateboarding or scootering in Tähtvere or the newly opened skatepark in Tartu city center during the summer. When communicating with young people and discussing skateparks, the concern often arises that there are simply no places in Annelinn to ride and practice tricks. Therefore, many extreme sports fans have to travel far from home to pursue their hobby. Many young people in Tartu would thus be interested in a miniramp built on the Anne Youth Center premises. Among other things, Tartu Skate School would be ready to conduct workshops in the youth center's yard for those interested in skateboarding and wishing to develop their skills.

In addition to a mini-ramp, the leisure park would bring a covered terrace to the youth centre's courtyard, which could be used by the youth centre, hobby schools, Pushkin School, and all residents of Annelinn. The shelter and seating areas offer opportunities to hold meetings, events, outdoor lessons, concerts, or work remotely. The youth centre itself currently lacks a place to conduct outdoor activities with young people and spend time outdoors in good weather, which is why the outdoor area would certainly be used daily. Hammocks, slackline and in-ground trampolines installed in the courtyard would offer the community a chance to spend their free time in a fun and relaxing way.

You can cast your vote for the Anne Youth Centre leisure park, or idea number 19, in the participatory budget vote taking place from October 1-7. Everyone registered in Tartu and who is at least 14 years old is welcome to vote.

Additional information:

Margit Kink

Director of Anne Youth Center

Phone 5886 4802

margit.kink@raad.tartu.ee

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