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Youth Center reopens to enthusiastic response

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Tammie Moore
  • 52nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs Office
SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany --  The Spangdahlem Youth Center buzzes with constant activity -- students line the snack bar waiting for it to open when the Torch Club meeting to come to an end. On the other side of the large room, a group of youths lounge on a couch and enjoy a movie, while two other boys play a game of pool.

While the commotion and chattering voices may seem endless they are signs the youth here have happily settled in at the newly renovated Youth Center that reopened March 9, 2009.

The Youth Center, located in building 458, was closed for more than four months while the inside was completely gutted. The building received new bathrooms, a kitchen and a multipurpose room. In addition, the décor and furnishings were replaced. The updated center offers computers with internet access students can use for homework, video game stations, a pool table and a big screen TV.

"We were very lucky to be able to partner with the community center and utilize the Brick House during our renovation," said Ann Ernst, Teen Programs director. "Prior to the renovation the building was rundown and the layout made it very difficult to monitor the youth. The new layout is very open and inviting. Now we have a wonderfully updated space that is a much more youth-friendly environment."

The staff at the youth center have received numerous compliments on the updated building.

"Everyone loves the space," Mrs. Ernst said. "Everyone (who has come in) has commented on the bright colors and the new modern look."

Kayla Peel, Spangdahlem Middle School student and Torch Club member, thinks the best part of the newly renovated building is the snack bar, which is sponsored by the Torch Club.

"We have asked all of the parents of children who go to the center to donate snack items and drinks to keep us stocked," said the 12-year-old. "It's great to come in after school and be able to hang out, have fun and have food."

The Youth Center is open from 2:30 to 6 p.m. Mondays through Fridays. There is also Teen Only Time from 6 to 8 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays and from 6 to 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays.

"The center provides youth who have parents assigned to Spangdahlem AB an open recreation program which gives them not only a place to hang out and relax, but focuses on five core areas: health and life skills, fitness, education and career, recreation, character and leadership," Mrs. Ernst said. "Weekly activities in each of these areas, along with field trips, summer camps, special events and a safe place to hang out with friends are just a few of the great things offered at the Youth Center."

The center is open to trustworthy children ages nine to 18 years old who have not graduated from high school. Membership cost is $24 per year. The membership fee not only covers daily use of the Youth Center, but also includes reduced cost for trips, special events and sports enrollments.

"It costs less to sign your child up for this program for an entire year than it does to fill my car with gas once a week," said Kayla's mother, Master Sgt. Shannon Burrier, 52nd Fighter Wing command section superintendent.

Kayla goes to the Youth Center three to four days a week. Despite all of the forms of entertainment that can be found there, she said the best part of the program is that her parents trust her to know what she should and should not do.

"It's a bit of grown-up freedom," she said. "Plus, we get to take part in a lot of cool things, like cooking and art club. We also have a place to finish homework so when we go home, we can just veg."

Sergeant Burrier believes that the program provides pre-teen children a good place to unwind and enjoy themselves after school.

"Because of all of the requirements of the program, like age and trustworthiness, it provides an opportunity for children to learn responsibility for themselves and gain self-respect knowing you trust them to conduct themselves accordingly," she said. "Plus you can't beat the affordable cost."

For more information about the Spangdahlem Youth Center, call 452-9206.