Fenelon Falls After School Youth Program Reopening

William McGinn, Communications & Marketing  Assistant BGC Kawarthas KAWARTHA LAKES: With students settling into a new school year, The Loft Youth Centre, in Fenelon Falls, is welcoming youth back for another year of connection, programs, and opportunities. Located at 30 Colborne Street, The Loft provides youth services for students in Grades 7 to 12. Registration at The Loft is free. “I’m incredibly proud and excited to be offering accessible youth services to Fenelon Falls for our third school year,” said Christina Mabee, Youth Services Coordinator with BGC Kawarthas. “Having attended high school in this community myself, it is especially meaningful to now have the opportunity to give back and help create more programs and services for the young people who live here. The Loft provides youth with a welcoming space to connect, build positive relationships, develop new skills, and take part in programs and experiences that support their growth.” Operated by BGC Kawarthas (formerly Boys & Girls Clubs of Kawartha Lakes), The Loft is open Tuesday to Thursday, from 2:30 to 6 p.m. The centre offers a variety of programs and activities, designed to meet the interests and needs of local youth. Programming includes arts, cooking and kitchen skills, mental health and wellness and inclusion programs, music, and leadership opportunities. More programs and services are planned to launch as the school year continues. Programming updates and announcements will be made on their BGC Kawarthas social media. The Loft is also introducing the BGC Kawarthas Youth Advisory Council, providing young people with an opportunity to take an active role in shaping youth services and making their voices heard. Youth Advisory Council members will have opportunities to help guide programming, volunteer in the community, contribute their perspectives to local initiatives, and develop leadership skills which can benefit them well beyond their time at The Loft. Applications for the Youth Advisory Council are open to youth in Fenelon Falls and Lindsay, until Friday, September 18th. Applications can be completed online. The Loft first opened in February of 2025, in the basement of the Fenelon Falls United Church, operating twice a week as the first dedicated youth centre in Fenelon Falls. Following strong community demand and growing participation, BGC Kawarthas was able to move the program to 30 Colborne Street, in October of 2025. Support for the program has been secured from the City of Kawartha Lakes and many Fenelon Falls individuals and businesses. BGC Kawarthas CEO Amy Terrill previously described the new location as “a dedicated and more accessible space.” The 2026–27 school year marks the first full school year The Loft will operate from its Colborne Street location. The building also serves the broader Fenelon Falls community during the daytime. Before school ends, the space is shared with EarlyON, which provides programs, resources, and support for children from newborn to six years of age and their families. CMHA Haliburton, Kawartha Pine Ridge also utilizes the space. The shared use of the building allows it to serve children, youth, and families at different stages of the day, creating a community space which supports local families from early childhood to adults. For more information, contact William McGinn, Communications & Marketing Assistant, by phone at: 705-324-4493 ext.  243 or via email at: wmcginn@bgckawarthas.com.