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Greeley Co. center drawing in teens
Published 2/22/2010 in Local News
By KATHY HANKS
Special to The Telegram
TRIBUNE — Thomas DuBry takes offense with the idea that he might be considered a nerd because he hangs out at the Community Youth and Action Team center.
"I'm a football player," the 18-year-old DuBry said. "I'm definitely cool."
As a senior at Greeley County High School, he enjoys spending weekends at the CYAT (pronounced cat) center. It's located in a once empty building in the downtown area of this far western Kansas town, just 16 miles from the Colorado border.
"I come with friends, bring my guitar and play songs, we get out the mats and have wrestling and football matches, with the younger kids," he said.
DuBry's buddy Jordan Harney, 18, agreed.
"It's a cool place. We play pool and get away from our families," Harney said.
The two boys were among 27 youth hanging out at the center on Thursday night. It's where they both planned to spend most of the weekend.
Because Greeley County only has school four days a week, the centers open Thursday night, and is open on Friday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 7 to 10:30 p.m. and Saturday until 10:30 p.m. but often they stay open until 11 or 11:30 p.m.
According to Melissa Walk, recreation direction for the Greeley County Recreation Foundation, the center opened seven years ago with a goal of providing a safe and fun environment for the entire community.
The building, a one-time general store, was purchased specifically as a youth center, and is funded through county tax dollars.
Today there are three pool tables, table tennis, and air hockey. There are several couches, recliners and a big screen TV, with cable, a VCR and DVD player. Plus there is food, such as frozen pizza, sodas and candy, sold at the snack bar.
"They have free reign," said Walk, who believes that's the reason for the popularity of the center, which is open to third graders through adults.
It has taken time, but she is now seeing growth.
"In the past six to nine months we have been able to pull more of the high school kids in," Walk said. She believes that's because they are very lenient. The two staff members and host of volunteers allow the kids to be kids.
"Its not organized time," Walk said. "If they want to watch TV or throw a ball around they can. We have had fluorescent lights broken; it's not a big deal. We have a building with kids, and we let them be loud and play their music.
While Walk says the center is an alternative for some kids, she knows there will always those teens who won't darken its doorway.
"But, we can offer this option," she said.
DuBry and Harney have been a positive force for the center, Walk said.
"The two hang out and their friends come to hang out. They have fun, and are loud and yell and run around and mom and dad aren't hanging around them."
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