The Estevan Public Youth Centre is trying to create a larger public profile in the community all while trying to raise more funds.

The centre has been in its new location on 6th street for about one year now, and Co-chair Patrick Fisher says the centre is looking at ways to reach more people and better serve the community.

"We've kind of gone through some growing pains," Fisher said. "In the current economy, and the way funding is going, we are starting to see some challenges with that, and we're going to be reaching out to the community for funding opportunities."

Fisher said EPYC is looking at doing some type of fundraiser next month, along with an open house next week to highlight some of the services they offer.

"Give people an idea of what it's like in a no pressure environment, especially the youth" Fisher said. "And let community members, and parents, and business people get an understanding of what we do and what our funding goals are and how we need the community's help to achieve that."

Fisher said the drop in programs that the youth centre offers remain popular.

"Numbers are good. Numbers are definitely going up. Obviously we hired a new executive director at the start of January," Fisher said. "He's done a very good job trying to open up, trying to get different variety of programming and different activities."

Fisher said there were 150 drop in visits during the month of February, and 45 in the first week of March alone.

"And we're seeing on average about 18 to 20 different new people coming a month, which is good to see," Fisher said.

The youth centre has a pool table, air hockey table, board games, and art supplies, among other amenities. He said the drop-ins, which are free of charge, are a great way to meet new people. They're open to kids who are in grade 7 through 12.

Finally, Fisher said the centre has also made schools a priority as it moves forward to try to get a stronger foothold in Estevan.

"It's about getting out there," Fisher said. "Our executive director Adam Elliott is doing a good job of trying to partner with schools and trying to create some after school activities and partner with different elementary schools and the high school as well."

"Get programming there to let people know that it exists and also to maybe do some programming in the schools as well too, and build the relationships that way."