And cupcakes are not a problem, Kahu Youth programme co-ordinator Mini Smith says.
The youth club’s new kitchen has already been seeing some action, and home baking is a regular after-school activity between Tuesdays and Fridays.
"The kitchen was finished on September 30. What we are waiting for now are cushions for the bench seats. They shouldn’t be too far off," Ms Smith said this week.
"The kids do their baking and make afternoon snacks. They usually come down from Mac [Mount Aspiring College] pretty hungry. We also keep a fruit bowl for them and some healthy options."
The kitchen is open for the members to make meals whenever they like, and they can help themselves to a pantry that is kept stocked with donations from Kiwi Harvest and others.
Kāhu Youth has spent the past year fundraising for it fit-out costs.
Among the supporters was Forsyth Barr, which hosted a Winter Wonderland Ball at the Lake Wānaka Centre on August 24, to celebrate the youth club’s 21st birthday and help raise funds.
Kāhu Youth also used its 14th annual Matariki celebration event in June as a fundraiser.
Community organisations and individuals have stepped up to help with things such as a large, colourful mural, an insulated music room (equipped with DJ mixing desk, guitars and a keyboard), study and gaming spaces, a large lounge, an area for arts pursuits — and the all-important kitchen.
"The music room is being used quite a lot too. Those kids who don’t play instruments like to hang out there. They watch and learn," Ms Smith said.
The Wanaka Sun was given a tour through the renovated Kahu Youth premises on Wednesday, before tonight’s community function for the board to thank the army of community contributors and supporters who helped see the project through.
Kāhu Youth became one of the anchor tenants in the former Mitre10 building on Plantation Rd after the Queenstown Lakes District Council took over the building two years ago.
The youth trust been busy fundraising ever since, raising at least $60,000 from the Forsyth Barr charity ball and auction, and receiving $74,000 from the Otago Community Trust in February to provide youth programmes and contribute to the fitout.
It also received $260,000 from the Central Lakes Trust in November 2023 for operational costs.
A range of after-school clubs draw about 20 young people to the youth centre every day it is open.
Activities coming up at Kahu Youth for the rest of this year include Mana Kohine, a two-day activities camp for girls only.
Kahu Youth has been so busy this year it has rescheduled the popular annual Cardboard Cup, usually held around October or November, until early next year.
A skate jam would be held at Northlake at the end of November and a school holiday programme would kick in from December 16, Ms Smith said.
