The Power House Youth Centre

The Power House Youth Centre serves as a place for youth to gather, learn, and connect with others. It is also a meeting place for Halifax Regional Council's Municipal Youth Advisory Committee.

Contact Information

If you have questions about programs and registration, inclusion and accessibility, or would like to arrange a first-time tour of the Power House, please contact Elyse using the email or phone numbers listed below.

Find us: 1606 Bell Road, Halifax
Power House Front Desk phone: 902.490.4309 
Call or text: 902-266-7451 
E-mail: powerhouseyouthcentre@halifax.ca 
Instagram: @hfxnextgen

Transit Routes

• 1, 4, 8, 9A, 9B - 5 min. walk
• 10, 123, 127, 182, 183, 185, 186, 194, 196 - under 10 min. walk

Room Rentals

The Power House is available for rent to youth and community groups. There is limited availability, please contact us at powerhouseyouthcentre@halifax.ca to find out more. 

Available spaces: 

• Henry Busch Boardroom (Holds 15 people) – $10 + tax per hour
• Novelee Lounge & Kitchen (Holds 15 people) – $10 + tax per hour
• Tamara’s Room (Small, 5-8 people) - $5 + tax per hour

Information on Room Rental User Group Categories

Youth Rates Apply to:

Individuals up to and including 18 years of age. An affiliated youth sports team A sports team, 90% of whose players are 18 years of age or younger.
 

Community Rates Apply to:

Non-profit Co-operatives, Non-profit Societies, Registered Charitable Organizations

Drop-in programs do not require registration, just come by! Drop-in programs are open to all youth ages 13-24 (support workers and service animals welcomed too). For support workers, please contact us ahead of time to discuss requirements for accompanying a youth during programs.  

Stormy weather and holidays may affect drop-in hours, please check our online calendar below, text, or call us for up-to-date information. If schools are closed, typically our programs are cancelled as well.

Drop-in Hours (ages 13-24)

Spring Drop-in Hours: 

When: Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesdays from 3:30-7:30p.m. and Saturdays from 11:30-3:30p.m.

Summer Drop-in Hours: 

Thursday's in July & August
1:00 - 3:30 pm
 

Cost: All drop-in programs are FREE!

Need a place to hang out? The Power House offers a welcoming and cozy atmosphere and a collection of video games, board games, art supplies, and musical instruments available for all youth to use! We also have WIFI, phone charging stations, free snacks, comfy chairs, and two all gender washrooms located in a secure building with staff on site.

Please note: There are no drop-in programs on March Break or Holidays. We do offer registered programs during March Break. Stay up to date on program schedules, holidays, and weather-related closures by checking out our online calendar below!

Drop-in Study Hours (ages 13-24)

Tuesday & Thursday's from 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Free
Start's April 4, 2023. 

Need a quiet place to study or write?
We have excellent WIFI, phone and laptop charging stations, a kitchen, ergonomic chairs, work tables, and two non-gendered washrooms all located in a secure building with staff on site!

Summer 2023 Programming

Registration opens for Spring opens April 6 (10:00 a.m.).

Click here to view the Power House's Summer Registered Programs

How to register: 

To register, you'll need the course code listed under each program and an account with Halifax Recreation. Creating an account is easy but we recommend you do it before registration day. 

To make an account or register using an existing account click here or head to https://recreation.halifax.ca/enterprise/account/login

Text or call the Power House at 902-266-7451 or reach us by email at powerhouseyouthcentre@halifax.ca if you need help registering. 

Inclusion Support Information

Do you need support? 

Parks and Recreation invites youth of all abilities to participate in our recreation programs. We recognize that some youth will require assistance to participate via adapted equipment, program modification, and/or through the provision of one-to-one Inclusion support.

Please contact us in two weeks in advance of start date to explore options for additional supports to ensure a positive recreation experience for all.

Youth are welcome to bring their own support person but must provide centre staff with the following documents 2 weeks prior to the program starting:

• Police Check including the Vulnerable Sector Check
• Child Abuse Registry Screening
• Signed One-on-one support person release form.

Access Information: 

The Power House is a partially-accessible heritage building located at the corner of Bell and Sackville streets across from the Public gardens in downtown Halifax.

• The building is surrounded by dense, green, hedges and is constructed of red-brown bricks with green trim. It can be recognized by its unique circular turret room located directly above the front door. 
• There are two sidewalks leading to the Power House from Sackville street only.

Building Access by Stairs

• The sidewalk closest to the intersection leads to a set of 10 stairs which ascend to the front door.
• There is a silver, metal, pad containing a round button at the top of the landing to the left of the door.
• Press the round button on the pad and someone will unlock the door from inside. 
• The front door is not power operated, if you need assistance opening the door or entering the building, please indicate after pressing the buzzer button by speaking, waving (into the camera), pressing the button more than once, or calling our front desk directly at 902-490-4309.

Building Access by Lift

• The second sidewalk further from the intersection near a greenhouse provides access to the back entrance the building where there is an elevator style lift just past a set of stairs. 
• There is a silver, metal, pad containing a round button on a post to the left of the lift. 
• Press the round button on the pad and a staff member will come outside to turn the lift on and open the door.
• Once inside the lift, the user or someone outside may operate it by pressing a black lever to go up or down.
• There is a large, red, safety button that will stop the lift if needed.
• If you need further assistance, please indicate after pressing the buzzer button by speaking, waving, pressing the button more than once, or calling our front desk directly at 902-490-4309.
• The back door at the top of the lift is power operated and can be opened by pressing the silver button to the left of the door containing a wheelchair icon.

Additional Information

• Two non-gendered washrooms (one is wheelchair accessible).
• The first floor is level grade and made of smooth, laminate tiles.
• The second floor is only accessible by stairs.
• The space is well lit and both overhead and lamp lighting is available.
• The space is well ventilated and has air conditioning/heating. Kitchen access. 
• First Aid and Naloxone Kit on-site.
• Support workers/persons and service animals welcome.

We aim to be a supportive and inclusive space for all youth. Discrimination will not be tolerated.