Virgin Gorda Yep Centre Opens This Summer
The Youth Empowerment Programme (YEP) centre on Virgin Gorda is set to open this summer after a ground-breaking in March 2024. The new, larger facility — a government and private-sector partnership including Unite BVI — will start with about 50 to 70 children, offer free programming and specialised spaces such as a dance studio, innovation lab and commercial kitchen.
The Virgin Gorda Youth Empowerment Programme (YEP) centre is scheduled to open this summer, government ministers and programme managers confirmed after a recent site visit to the near-completed building. The project, a collaboration between the Government of the Virgin Islands and the private sector including Unite BVI, officially broke ground on March 23, 2024.
Wheatley (Ninth District Representative), Hon. Mather, Unit Manager Safiya Vanterpool and Kim Takeuchi toured the future home of the YEP Centre during the visit. “We're excited to be opening this summer, starting with approximately 50 to 70 children and expanding as we grow,” Hon.
Mather said, noting that the centre will serve Virgin Gorda’s youth exclusively. For calendar reference, summer was noted as running June 1 to August 31. The new Virgin Gorda facility is significantly larger than the existing YEP building on Tortola. “The building itself is 2.5 times the size of the facility on Tortola, which is remarkable, especially since it took 23 years to reach this point,” Hon.
He also said the structure is about 90 percent completed. Unit Manager Safiya Vanterpool outlined the facility’s planned amenities: a kitchen with commercial-grade appliances, a dance and music studio, an arts and crafts room, a multi-purpose room that will include a homework area and an innovation lab for robotics and multimedia activities, plus a dedicated computer room. “I’m hopeful that this space will allow our youth to grow, explore, and expand,” Vanterpool said.
Mather emphasised that programming at the new centre will be free, following the model used on Tortola so parents will not have to worry about fees. He noted the Virgin Gorda centre is designed to complement other local programmes and encouraged families to enrol children in multiple activities to broaden opportunities and build community ties.
Officials are also asking the public to support the finishing touches by donating items to furnish the building. A community wishlist on Amazon is being finalised and will be shared for residents and organisations who wish to contribute. For Virgin Gorda residents, the new YEP centre promises increased access to arts, technology and educational supports in a purpose-built space that aims to strengthen youth development and community cohesion across the island.
This report is based on coverage by Virgin Islands News Online (VINO).
Primary source: VINO