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Teen Centre wants to move again, seeking City cash

For a second time in four months, Susan Kostanowicz, executive director of the Sault Ste. Marie Teen Centre, will ask City Council Monday for "substantial bridge financing" to keep the struggling institution afloat.
SusanKostanowicz

For a second time in four months, Susan Kostanowicz, executive director of the Sault Ste. Marie Teen Centre, will ask City Council Monday for "substantial bridge financing" to keep the struggling institution afloat.

"Current operations are in peril due to ... lack of core funding," says David Lind of Sault-based Management and Marketing Research Group, who's been working on a business plan.

In early December, Council turned down Kostanowicz's request for a $20,000 short-term loan.

Michael Murray, the City's director of financial services, advised Council then to deny the request, pointing out that the Teen Centre didn't have a solid business plan and its board didn't seem to understand the seriousness of its cash-flow crisis.

Almost four months later, the precise amount being sought by the Teen Centre isn't known because as of Sunday night City councillors had still not received a detailed business plan.

The briefing package distributed to Council contained only "an executive summary" from Lind that contained few numbers.

The full business plan will not be handed to councillors until Monday night.

In his executive summary, Lind says the Teen Centre needs to aggressively recruit new members to its board of directors, particularly people with business backgrounds.

Positive developments

Lind points to several positive developments since Kostanowicz's last appearance before Council:

- people of all ages have dropped into the Teen Centre with unsolicited cash donations

- "tremendous" support has been shown by family and friends of the late Tom Gillespie

- staff have been fund-raising on their own time

- attendance has increased steadily since the fall of 2002

- an aggressive campaign for recruiting new members has started

New facility needed

Although the Teen Centre only recently moved into its present home at 222 Albert Street East, Kostanowicz is expected to tell Council that it must move again, this time into facilities that are more conducive to the needs of young people.

SooToday.com background articles

City denies loan to Teen Centre New joint site suggested for Teen Centre, skateboard park


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David Helwig

About the Author: David Helwig

David Helwig's journalism career spans seven decades beginning in the 1960s. His work has been recognized with national and international awards.
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