A group of young people are preparing to go head to head with Government to save their community centre.

"We aren't going anywhere. We've got too much stuff right here,'' 19-year-old Geneko Darrell told The Royal Gazette yesterday.

The dispute stems from a Government plan to shut down the Sandys Youth Community Club (SYCC) housed in one of the abandoned Canadian Base buildings on Daniel's Head.

Government is in the middle of renovating the Springfield House to create a new community centre on Middle Road, Sandys.

Once completed, the new centre will provide recreational facilities for the very young and the very old alike.

And Government officials have said they will no longer provide funding for the old centre after Springfield's completion, said SYCC director Gerald Fubler.

But the club's members yesterday said they refused to leave their "second home'' and would boycott the Springfield complex.

Mr. Fubler went on to say Government was wasting money by trying to relocate an already successful programme.

The Daniel's Head centre was originally opened as a temporary facility by the Sandys Community Action Group and the Sandys Youth Committee in 1997.

It boasts pool, football and table tennis tables, a dart board, computers, video game systems, a mini library, television, and small canteen.

And its waterside location provides easy access for the young people to enjoy boating activities.

In the past the hall has been used for parties and all night game sessions for up to 40 people.

Youth group to fight move Mr. Fubler said the equipment -- all of which has been donated since the club's opening -- gave a clear indication of widespread community support.

According to Mr. Fubler, the main problems with the new facility were that it closed too early, imposed too many restrictions, and created an awkward combination of pre-adolescents, teenagers, and senior citizens.

And 18-year-old Bernelle Tankard pointed out the Springfield facility was far from the water and did not have a nearby playing field.

"We aren't going because Springfield is not suitable,'' he continued.

"If they could find a better area in the Sandys community area -- and make it available and spacious for us -- then there's a possibility that we would think about moving.'' Mr. Fubler said he was in discussions with Government officials -- including Premier Jennifer Smith and both the Minister and Director of Youth and Sports -- until a breakdown some two weeks ago.

Now the centre is facing a possible April 2 eviction date when the Springfield complex opens its doors to the public.

But Mr. Fubler remained adamant that he would fight to keep the Daniel's Head club open.

"To leave here would be a waste of time,'' he said. " To go ahead with Springfield for what its purpose is would be a mistake.'' And he called on the public to compare the two facilities in order to judge for themselves what was at stake.

Twenty-year-old Raymond Burchall was less vocal, but just as adamant.

"To have fun -- that's all I want,'' he said. "I like this place. I don't want to move.'' Youth and Sport Minister Dennis Lister and Director Brenton Roberts were unavailable for comment.

A place of their own: Youth centre members Raymond Burchall, Geneko Darrell, Bernelle Tankard, and Peter O'Neill.

Graphic file name: YOOTS A place of their own: Youth centre members Raymond Burchall, Geneko Darrell, Bernelle Tankard, and Peter O'Neill.

Graphic file name: CENTTER