Youth service centre goes out in a blaze of graffitti
IT WAS a fitting end to a building that has served the Toowoomba Youth Service for more than 20 years.
Staff and clients took to the broken-down, but well-loved building with spray cans in hands.
Some left hearts, others left flowers and heartfelt messages.
"I will remember this building" was sprayed in fluoro pink on the side of the Hume St building.
"We have seen thousands and thousands of young people come through these doors," Youth Service manager Michelle Wiersma said.
"I said to the staff that when we go, they could say paint their farewells on the building.
"Graffiti has been a part of the youth service for years.
"We have run legal street art programs and have worked with local artists."
The building will be removed this weekend.
The site will be cleared and work will begin on a new purpose-built office space for the youth service.
The new building will be culmination of six years' worth of planning and research.
"The idea is to build a purpose-built building that provides safe and secure premises," she said.
Ms Wiersma hopes that the service will move into its new Hume St dwelling by early next year.
In the meantime, it is business as usual for the service in the temporary office in Heritage Arcade.
