I am a strong proponent of a free youth center for teens to "hang out" at. All too often I have seen teens "cruising" The North Shoppes or The Belt or hanging out in parking lots. A while ago, several businesses complained that the teens were unwelcome in their parking lots because of concern that they may cause mischief.
If our kids have nowhere to go, it is reasonable to assume that in a community where few parents question their child's actions, our teens are going to find themselves searching for free or low-cost activities that continue to pique their interests. Why are these options not available to our kids? Maybe this would even help reduce the number of teen pregnancies!
My solution: a city- & community-sponsored INDOOR recreational facility that is open evenings and weekends where our youth can congregate. The center should provide a basketball court, pool tables, vending machines, adult supervision (30+ years), and free or reduced-cost admission (around $1); I guarantee the kids will come.
A quote from a popular movie says "If you build it, they will come". Our teens don't need babysitters, but they need a safe place to go and "hang out". I'm sure if this service were provided, teens would gladly provide input as to what activities they would like to see available at the community center. This would be managed by the parks & rec department.
The State of MO has a curfew of 11:59pm on weekends and 11pm during the week. Our City lists on their website that the curfew for minors (16 and under) is 11pm every day of the week. The community center should close 15 minutes prior to close so that the kids can get home "on time".
As far as I know, this service is presently unavailable but would easily serve a growing need for our youth. Just think how easily it would be to convert an abandoned downtown building thereby reducing blight also! Doesn't our esteemed mayor hold some interest in several properties? An investment in our youth is an investment in our future.
i have been lobbying for a skate park which is larger than a postage stamp for a while now. there are plenty of basketball venues, but when is the city going to get "hip" to the need for this type of venue? the only answers i get are....."the insurance and liability is a killer". well, not if you are a municipality. there is just a real prejudice towards these kids. skateboarding IS a sport, and one which is very popular, and not so expensive that the most poor family can't participate. great idea!!!!!!
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