BIG SPRING, TX — On Thursday, many people gathered to join the Big Spring YMCA as they celebrated the groundbreaking for their new Teen and Youth Center that will be built on the north side of their current facility, across from the Big Spring Junior High.
Dathan Jones, CEO for the Big YMCA, advised that the center would be a generational project because it would be impacting the community for generations to come. Plus, a couple of members of the Junior YMCA Board spoke during the presentation to talk about what it means to be a part of the board and the responsibilities that it holds for them.
Jones told KBest News that he felt like the project was an example of walking by faith and not sight because it started two years ago when he approached Metal Solutions with a dream and no capital behind the project.
“It is about the future generation of children that are coming up that we must impact now,” said Jones. “This this is what makes it unique, [it] is not like anything else we have in town. It is the only thing we have in town that is gonna be for the youth year-round. This is not gonna close. This will be open all the time. The hours are gonna be open late. If the home life isn’t safe, [Teens are] gonna have a place to go, and where else can you say we have that now in Big Spring?,” he continued.
The building will be a 100 ft. x 200 ft. building with spaces for various activities, including pool tables, arcade, computer lab, reading center, 12-seat movie theater, two recording studio, painting area, Lego studio, Nerf area, skate area in the gym, and be able to play volleyball and basketball. Plus, it’ll have a counselor area so the kids can have a safe place to talk to someone about their troubles, needs, or just to get something off of their chest. In addition to that, there will be a snack/kitchen area that will hold cooking classes to teach kids how to cook small meals at home safely.
Raul Marquez, President of the YMCA Board, told KBest News it was a blessing to see the groundbreaking for the Teen and Youth Center. He said he’s seen other things come in for teens like dance halls, but nothing like this. He said Jones and the YMCA staff have put in a lot of hard work into the project and he was proud to see it finally come to fruition. Once they get past a couple of things they have to address with the city, Marquez said the construction should be completed in approximately 4 months.
There are multiple sponsors that made the project possible are Marie Hall Foundation, Big Spring Area Community Foundation, Phillips 66, City of Big Spring, Dora Roberts Rehabilitation Center, the Broughton Foundation, Big Spring ISD, Coahoma ISD, Forsan ISD, and Metal Solutions. Jones went on to say that the project is extremely close to meeting the budget for the project, but they need more community support with funding.
Jones advised that the YMCA Teen and Youth Center will be a staple of our community, just like the Big Spring YMCA.
“We’re gonna need to make it the best it can be. We don’t need to cut any corners. We don’t need to short change it. Go ahead and put the money and where you can see. You can actually come out here and see where your money is going is. It’s going to impact generations from years to come, so if people interested and still donating to us, just come by let us know. It’s here, like, it’s not like you’re donating to a dream, you’re donating to a foundation of hope,” explained Jones.
To make a donation to the YMCA’s Teen & Youth Center, contact the Big Spring YMCA at 432-267-8234 or Dathan Jones at 432-254-9949.
(Photos by KBest Media)
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