4.3. SR 04-20-1998 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Elk River Star News Elk River, MN 55330 · VoL 123, No. 15- 75¢ ° Newsline 504-1528 · Internet address: http://www, ecm:inC.'com · April 8, 1998 Space for youth is being planned These four men play key roles in the drive for funds to build a youth center in Lions Community Park. The Elk River Lions are committing $50,000 to the project this year. Representing them are, left to right, John Weicht, who will construct the build- ing at cost, Craig Loebig, vice president and Wally Fox, past president. Daryl Thompson, chair of the Boys and Girls Club Board of Directors,right, says without the Lions Club there would be no center and Boys and Girls Club of Elk River. Fund drive for center is under way "One Brick at a Time." America program. That's the slogan for the drive to collect $800,000 to build a !2,000 square-foot youth center in Lions Com- munity Park. Bricks at $25 each went on sale today at seven locations. The Elk River Lions Club is committed to buying the first 2,000 bricks at $50,000 in 1998, leaving 28,000'bricks to be sold. -- · -. The funds will be used to build the center, planned to be open this fall, and to operate the Boys and Girls Club of Already over $100,000 'in cash and in-kind services has been pledged. The Boys and Girls Club of America, which has chapters throughout the country inclu- ding St. Cloud and St. Paul, has agreed to bring its pro- gram to Elk River once the money is raised. ' A board of directors, chaired by-C-Sty Council Member Daryl Thompson has been meeting regularly. "The Boys and Girls Club has a proven track record," he Here's where bricks are being sold Here's where bricks are being sold: all locations of the Bank of Elk River, all loca- .~:.:.:.:,:.:.:....,:,:,:.. ,:.:+:.:.:.:.:,-,- .... Bank of Elk River, theElk .~.~._~ ~~ River Bowl, Houle Oil Co., Inc. Perkins Family Restaurant, Sax Photo Lab ............................... and the Elk River Star News. said. "They have a tried and true program." The center will have a gym- nasium, a game 'room, arts room, study room, computer lab and a kitchen. Brick to page 4 City groups preparing space and programs by Don Heinzman Editor After years of talking about places where young people can "hang out," there's action on several fronts. oA drive starts this week to raise $800,000 to build a cen- ter for youth in Lions Park and to bring in the Boys and Girls Club of America to run the programs. Already, over $100,000 in cash and in-kind services has been donated. A building could be up by this fall. *The Community Recreation program is looking at develop- ing a drop-in center for youth at the vacant Prairie House building. Monday night, the city council deferred action on this item. °The Park and Recreation Commission is planning to survey residents on putting up another bond issue for elec- tion, this time possibly offer- ing an outdoor swimming pool in the package. °Annette and Mark Watz are still talking about opening a non-profit center for youth in the former Northbound Liquor building. The city council Monday night decided to remodel the old liquor store building for $37,000, with an eye to leasing or selling it. The council seems to favor this site for some kind of youth facility. *Youth Initiatives, a group of students and adults, has Youth to page 7 Brick Continued from page 1 Here are the latest develop- ments: · Ground has been broken for the 12,000-square-foot youth center in Lions Park. · The city of Elk River has provided the land, believed worth $100,000 based on land for sale near it. · Plaisted Companies has donated the equipment and volunteers who have removed the peat from the site, a job worth $4,000. · The Elk River Street Department has donated the manpower and equipment and fill to prepare the site. · John Weicht and Associates, the general con- tractor, has donated construc- tion services at cost, eliminat- lng a $30,000 fee. · John Oliver and Associates has donated the surveying and engineering, estimated at $4,000. Thompson is confident peo- ple will buy bricks and that corporations will come through with bigger dona- tions. For $10 a year, all youth-- kindergarten through high school, will have access to all activities and programs. The Boys and Girls Club will be a place designed and used only for youth programs and activities. It will be open every day after school and on Saturdays. It will have a core staff of trained youth development professionals to provide guid- ance and supervision and serve as role models and mentors. Youth Continued from page 1 approached the Park and Recreation Commission to have BMX bike park and jumps for jumping. They are loOking for 'a two: 0r'three-acre site. · - · Four new city diamonds for boys' baseball and girls' soi~- ball will open this spring at Jarvis and 165th. The youth baseball and soi~ball organiza- tions are helping to finance the fields. Up to 3,000 youngsters will be playing organized youth athletics this year. · A group interested in hav- lng a place for skateboarders has approached the Boys and Girls Club Board of Directors to have the track near the Boys and Girls Club site in Lions. Park. Meetings are under way .to explore that. A site at Oak Knoll Park is still a possiblility and will be on the agenda for the Park and Recreation Commission in May. ·., · Community Education 'is plarming an extended day pro- gram Tuesdays and Thursdays for youngsters in grades 5 through 9. It also is looking at having more after-class activi- ties in the four junior high schools next year.