The
Dalles Youth Center Coalition is spearheading an effort to see a
youth center built to serve The Dalles and surrounding communities.
The vision is to build a first-class facility that will meet the
needs of ALL youth organizations throughout the Mid-Columbia area,
fulfilling a dream that has been talked about for decades. Although
many good ideas have created excitement and raised the hopes of
young and old alike over the years, for various reasons each one
has slowly succumbed without completing this lofty and much needed
goal.
For
the past three years groundwork for such a center has been laid
by researching previous local efforts, visiting other centers and
talking with numerous individuals and youth organizations. The Youth
Center Coalition is comprised of youth organizations and caring
individuals who share a common objective of assisting youth to become
healthy and well-rounded adults through the opportunities that a
youth center would offer.
The
initial vision for a permanent facility is to build a state-of-the-art
center that would include a double gymnasium, fieldhouse with artificial
turf, indoor or covered skate park, commons area, cafeteria, multi-media
lab, art room and computer lab. These facilities will provide the
much needed venue for youth-minded community members to help contribute
to the physical, intellectual, emotional, and spiritual health of
children in the Mid-Columbia region.
The
coalition is currently examining the possibility of securing a temporary
youth center by the fall of 2007. This temporary facility will provide
the means necessary to establish weekly programming and help demonstrate
to potential supporters that The Dalles is ready and able to run
a youth center. Click here for more info
on the next steps toward securing the temporary youth center.
Individuals
or organizations that are interested in being involved or would
like to receive more information concerning the Youth Center Coalition
are asked to contact Joe Martin at 298-4277.
