Written By Jan Sims
KOMOKA - The Komoka Youth Centre got a financial shot in the arm with a recent donation from the Optimist Club of Komoka-Kilworth.
The Optimists donated $6,000 to help support the Centre, which opened in 2024 as a partnership between the Municipality of Middlesex Centre and the Middlesex Centre YMCA.
“This donation is also a powerful reminder of what’s possible when municipalities, local organizations, and service providers work greater together around a shared goal of supporting young people. The Municipality of Middlesex Centre, as the owner of the facility, has made a significant investment in youth through the Youth Centre, and support from organizations like the Optimist Club helps strengthen and sustain that vision for years to come,” says V.P. of Health, Fitness and Aquatics for the YMCA of Southwestern Ontario Soyuth Sok.
The Centre provides activities for youth ages 9-17 and operates on a drop-in basis three evenings a week: Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. “Participants can enjoy activities such as video gaming, ping pong, air hockey, crafts, and other creative experiences. One of the most popular offerings is the weekly active time in the Community Centre gymnasium, where youth participate in activities such as basketball, pickleball, and other group games,” says Sok.
The program is run out of the Komoka Community Centre, and it’s proved to be very popular. “The response from youth and families has been overwhelmingly positive. Since opening, the Youth Centre has become an important gathering place for young people in Middlesex Centre. In 2025, the Centre recorded 1,412 visits, and by the end of July 2026 it had already welcomed 1,002 visits, demonstrating strong and sustained engagement,” says Sok.
“Youth consistently tell us they value having a safe, welcoming, and inclusive place where they can spend time with friends, meet new people, and simply be themselves. The partnership between the Municipality and YMCA of Southwestern Ontario has created a space that fills an important need locally, and we’ve seen meaningful connections and positive relationships develop as a result. The Youth Centre continues to spark opportunities for young people to build friendships, gain confidence, and feel supported,” adds Sok.
