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Wednesday, March 10, 2010

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Big plans

Ground to be broken for new Cuyuna Range Youth Center

By JODIE TWEED

Staff Writer

CROSBY - Something big is in store for youth in the Crosby-Ironton area - 4,000 square feet, to be exact.

And ground could be broken as early as sometime in April for the Cuyuna Range Youth Center, a facility that will feature a half-court gym, a deli with tables, a large TV flat screen to play video games, a computer lab and sound room for band practices, bathrooms and an office.

Dick Gunter, Cuyuna Range Youth Center board president, and Lucy Bartz, the center's fundraising and publicity chair, showed what the new youth center will look like when the new building is complete, possibly as early as July. Brainerd Dispatch/Steve Kohls

The youth center, which has shifted to various rental spaces in the community for the past several years, is now located in a former auto body shop on Highway 210, about a half-block from the four-way stop in Crosby. The board of directors purchased the property in June 2009 for $63,500, money the board and its youth had raised, along with a matching grant from the Hallett Foundation. The property was purchased on the assumption that the small auto shop would eventually be demolished and a new building would be constructed in that location.

The existing building is far from ideal. Organizers said that on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights, when the center is open to seventh- through 12th-graders, the building usually has about 20-24 teens hanging out there. But since it can get so crowded some teens don't come, they said.

"We've been in here a year and it's wall to wall kids," said Dick Gunter, president of the youth center board.

Gunter said that since last June the board has raised an incredible $186,000 toward the $250,000 needed to build the new center. Funds have been raised through donations, various youth fundraisers and about three-fourths of the money came from grants. Barb Hakes has served as a volunteer grant writer, securing a large portion of the funding. The Bremer Foundation was the largest contributor, providing a $50,000 grant then later added another $25,000 grant, said Hakes.

"We've worked hard," said Hakes on raising funds.

Gunter said the $250,000 is for the purchase of building materials only; several local contractors have offered their time and talents to build the new facility free of charge. Several teens who frequent the youth center also plan to help with its construction, said Gunter. The board will still need to raise about $80,000 to fully equip and furnish the youth center, said Gunter. Hakes said she may learn in April whether the project has been awarded additional grants she has applied for.

Gunter said he's been told by contractors that construction could be completed in July so the building is ready for teens when school starts in September. He said the building is not only a youth center but may be used for community events, too. Gunter said the youth center also is not just for C-I teens but students in the surrounding cities, too.

"This is important because it gives them something to do that keeps them from walking the streets and getting into trouble," said Gunter.

Gunter said there are few things in the community to keep youth occupied. He owned Bodega Pizza in Crosby from 1975 until he sold the business in 1989. Gunter said many parents would drop their kids off at his pizza place at 4 p.m. and pick them up after the bars closed. He felt the need to get involved with the youth center because he saw how necessary a safe place is for the youth in the community.

"I actually raised kids in the community at the Bodega," said Gunter.

Several of the teens have formed a band and they practice at the youth center, which is why board members hope to have a sound-proof room in the new facility. A few teens who graduated from high school and the youth center continue to play in the band they formed at the youth center a few years ago, Gunter said proudly. The band plays gigs frequently in the Twin Cities and St. Cloud.

Lucy Bartz runs a youth program for children in third- through sixth-grade on the first and third Monday nights at the youth center. She said the youth who frequent the center also participate in community service projects. They also are fully responsible for having jobs to keep the center clean, whether it be to clean a bathroom or vacuum to take care of the place. The center offers snacks and meals when they're able to get community food donations.

Bartz said the youth center desperately needs volunteers to donate a few hours of their time a month to supervise the facility. The youth center is also finding ways to raise more funds for their building fund, including many hot dog sales during the summer and an upcoming craft fair at the Deerwood Auditorium. The center also has a large portable sign that they rent out for those interested in advertising at the center's prime location.

The youth center is hosting its annual spring craft/vendor sale and pie social from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 24 at the Deerwood Auditorium. Anyone interesting in selling their crafts at the sale may contact Bartz at 839-2218.

"We're ecstatic. We can't wait," Gunter said of the new youth center. The old building will likely be demolished in April.

"What's exciting is to see how things are unfolding," added Bartz.

If you would like to make a donation to the building fund or would like more information, contact Hakes at (218) 546-5434. To send a donation to the nonprofit organization, checks may be mailed to the Cuyuna Range Youth Center Building Fund, P.O. Box 263, Crosby, MN 56441.

JODIE TWEED may be reached at jodie.tweed@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5858.

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