Renovating building is flaming good idea

Papatoetoe's rundown fire station could soon provide a lifeline that a youth group needs, reports Candice Reed
No floors. No plumbing. No insulation.
"No worries," says Manukau Youthline, "we'll take it."
The old Papatoetoe Fire Station is a renovator's worst nightmare. But the youth counselling service is eagerly awaiting the final nod from Manukau City Council and Papatoetoe Community Board to move into the rundown space.
For two years, Youthline has been chasing approval to renovate and occupy the council-owned building along with other community groups such as the Volunteer Fire Brigade Old Boys Association. If the council agrees, Youthline will need to raise $1.3 million to renovate the space to include several offices, counseling rooms, an outside barbecue area and a youth cafe.
"The building has been vandalized and is in really bad shape," says Toni Hadlee from Youthline.
"The facade of the fire station would stay the same, but we'll modernise it to make it a really fun and modern community space."
On Monday night, Ms Hadlee and other Youthline staff showed the Papatoetoe Community Board concept drawings from architects, and requested a long-term lease from the council.
It's likely the community board will support the idea and recommend a 30-year lease.
Moving from the cramped, two-room office space at Friendship House in Manukau City to the old fire station would be welcomed by more than 60 staff and 70 volunteers involved in Youthline in Manukau.
Ms Hadlee says amore visible location - near schools, churches, shops and on a main street will also boost awareness of the services offered by Youthline.
These include family counselling, youth activities and telephone counselling.
"We've been in Manukau for a long time, about 10 years, and a lot of people don't know that," she says.
"Young people don't really know we're there. It's important they do because of the substantial issues going on with young people in Manukau. We need to have a much higher profile."
Moving will also improve efficiency. Currently, people phone a call centre in Ponsonby to book counselling sessions.
"We get to them eventually; it just takes a little bit longer," says Manukau coordinator Renee Haiu.
"Moving means we're there for them to access at any time and this way help would be more immediate."
Youth Advisory Group volunteer Teressa Vailaha contacted Youthline last year when she was struggling at school.
She's learned responsibility and aspires to study business at university and says without the help from Youthline she'd probably have dropped out of school and would still be getting into trouble.
"I think before I do stuff now," she says.
"Now I make my own decisions."
A council report supports the move because it has no funding to refurbish the building and the services offered by Youthline are "aligned to those of the council".