Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1385129
maltatoday | SUNDAY • 20 JUNE 2021 14 COMMERCIAL PA funding helps transform dilapidated Valletta historic property into youth centre AN 18th century dilapidated historic building in Triq Ursula, which in the 1950s served as the Blood bank and headquarters of the Order of the Knights of St John, has been restored and meticulously converted into a youth centre for the Capital City's young people. The pro- ject which fully benefitted from Planning Authority funds was launched by Teen Klabb co-or- dinator Maurizio Lapira in the presence of Minister for the Environment, Climate Change & Planning Hon. Aaron Farru- gia, the PA's Executive Council's Chairperson Martin Saliba and the Parish Priest of the St.Paul's Shipwreck Church, Fr. David Cilia. Carried out in three phases, the works related to the pro- ject and for which the Plan- ning Authority funded close to €550,000 included intense restoration on the property's façade and renovation works on the courtyard, masonry staircase, cellar, Sala Nobile and the cleaning of the walls and ceilings. The project also included the installation of me- chanical and electrical services, installation of new bathrooms, a lift and steel bridges connect- ing different areas of the build- ing. Martin Saliba, Chairperson of the Planning Authority's Executive Council, said "over the past years the PA has been at the forefront of support- ing community urban projects through the development plan- ning fund. We are proud to have supported this project in its entirety. We not only saw its potential but more impor- tantly the commitment and professionality with which this NGO, under the auspices of the Parish Church, executed the restoration and rehabilitation of this building which will now serve to improve the social and community life of youth living within and around the areas of Valletta." Mr Saliba concluded "we are all aware of the difficulties and pressures youth are fac- ing and this place is one of the key remedies, as it will provide them with a safe space to de- velop the skills needed for re- sponsible adulthood and active citizenship. Here they will be provided with spiritual values and academic support that will help them reject negative peer pressure and boredom." Centru Santu Rokku, which today is Church property, was possibly a property firstly owned by a wealthy family. The property was built according to the traditional style of the time, having a large open courtyard with a generously proportioned staircase leading to the upper levels, including the Sala No- bile, whilst a stone spiral stair- case connects the back rooms on all floors and was most like- ly intended for use by the serv- ants of the household. In the 18th century, it was owned by one of the foundations of the 'Soladita Dei Preti', 'Naves'. In the 1990s the parish ini- tiated its pastoral work from this premises to serve the community of the area and its surroundings. Over the recent years, the property began to be used as a makeshift youth centre, known as Teen Klabb. Teen Klabb was launched by Tabgha Foundation. Teen Klabb co-ordinator Maurizio Lapira, Environment, Climate Change & Planning Hon. Aaron Farrugia and PA Executive Council Chairperson Martin Saliba