Fayette | News

Public invited to attend meeting about teen/community center

Mon, 02/04/2008 - 1:50pm
By: The Citizen

The Youth Council serving Fayette County is inviting the public (youth and adults) to attend a forum to discuss future plans for a community/ teen center in Peachtree City. The meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 13, at Peachtree City Library at 6:30 p.m.

The Youth Council has determined that with the growing number of middle school and high school students home alone at crucial hours after school, that there is a desperate need for an accessible indoor recreational center on the southside of Peachtree City.

The Youth Council has also determined that there isn't a public facility in Fayette County that offers Cultural Arts such as Acting, Singing, Music, Theatre, Improv and Teen Concerts. Currently, Kedron Fieldhouse is the only public indoor gymnasium in the entire county. The closest public Cultural Arts Centers are located in Carrollton and Clayton County. Currently teens that don't live in the Kedron area have limited access to a public indoor recreational center.

The Youth Council serving Fayette County has also determined that this teen/community center will serve the entire community, including Seniors during daytime hours, preschool and Elementary Aged Children including summer camps, and also Adult Classes and programs. A community center is currently listed second in the Peachtree City Recreation Commissions Master Plan. A teen Center is currently listed third in the Master Plan.

Some of The Youth Council's initial priorities in this type of facility are:

Walking Track for Adults and Seniors, Small Fitness Center, Computer Lab, Game Room, Stage (for Cultural Arts and Music) and a Large Gym, but the Youth Council would like input from all community members in the county.

All Fayette County residents are invited to attend this meeting. The Youth Council is requesting the public join this subcommittee, to determine if they would support a Teen/Community Center. The commitment would be meeting once a month.

The youth council is proposing this Teen/Community center at the Braelinn Recreation area, but would like input from the community regarding the appropriate location.

The Youth Council also wants the public to help prioritize the types of activities and facilities that a potential teen/community center should offer. If this subcommittee agrees that a teen/community center is needed, The Youth Council serving Fayette County will determine whether they will start a corporate donation drive to obtain funds for a building, or a request a bond referendum in 2009.

The Youth Council serving Fayette County is a group of volunteer teens that represent the entire county. The Youth Council serving Fayette County is a program under the Peachtree City Parks and Recreation Department in partnership with the Fayette County Parks and Recreation Department.

If you would like more information on The Youth Council visit their website www.TheYouthCouncil.com or contact Art Sivertsen, Youth Council Executive Director at 770 486-3936.

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Teen Center - good idea, but...
Submitted by IMNSHO on Mon, 02/04/2008 - 11:24pm.

...I don't see it being successful. Not that the teens won't go. Maybe they will. Mine won't, because I won't let them. Why? Because I just don't see there being good enough supervision, unless you want to hire an off-duty but uniformed officer to sit there and babysit. I don't think ANY authority figure will be respected enough by the kids or the parents... not enough to ensure that this is a fun and safe place for all teens. Nope. Not around here. Very unfortunately.

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Teen Center - the kids need something...
Main Stream's picture
Submitted by Main Stream on Tue, 02/05/2008 - 7:55am.

here in PTC. I hope that the City looks at programs and models in other cities, that have been successful. There definitely needs to be a police presence at a Teen Center, for the safety of the kids and to keep druggies away.

The one place in PTC, where kids do get together after hours, at "Jump to It", always has a police-person at the door to keep an eye on who leaves, who comes in, etc. My kids love going there and I know they'll be safe.


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Teen Center
Submitted by sageadvice on Tue, 02/05/2008 - 7:27am.

Well, this blurb by Imsho happens to be just the first complaint that always pop up the minute something is mentioned for the teenagers!

Next will be, oh my goodness, they will do drugs and drink there!
As I have said before the City managers and employees do not want that responsibility---they are too sorry!!

Notice the pitch to hire cops as a side job? Need responsible recreational professional worse!

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Nitpicker$$ Teen Center
Submitted by skyspy on Tue, 02/05/2008 - 7:55am.

The center in Fayetteville closed due to lack of interest. It was shut down I think after they found drugs and alcohol there.

The good kids will always find good activities to be involved with. The troubled kids don't want any adult supervision.

I think it is worth trying again. I just think the troubled kids that don't fit in will ruin it for everyone, like they always do.

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sky
Submitted by sageadvice on Tue, 02/05/2008 - 8:16am.

What was it lack of interest----or, drugs and alcohol?
Where do you suppose they do those things now?

We don't need to help the "good" kids, just the "bad" kids.

That is what professional supervision (not mixed with religion) is for!

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Both
Submitted by skyspy on Tue, 02/05/2008 - 8:22am.

Once the drugs and alcohol were taken away the kids stopped going.

They do what kids on the fringe always do, hide out from adults.

There are several remote spots on the cart paths that are littered with empty bottles and lots of other garbage. It's either the kids or we have a serious "homeless" problem in PTC.

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NO!
Submitted by sageadvice on Tue, 02/05/2008 - 12:41pm.

remote spots where sin occurs?
Do the cops know where they are?
Tell them.
Maybe Hawk1/2 could spot them!

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Rec. Center
Submitted by JJPTC on Mon, 02/04/2008 - 7:49pm.

I think it's a wonderful idea however, are they talking about Braelinn Rec. off Loghouse Rd? Not a good idea!! I hope they can find a tasteful spot to build it!

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Some REALLY poor planning there...
sniffles5's picture
Submitted by sniffles5 on Mon, 02/04/2008 - 3:01pm.

This is a subject of interest to me...but folks, 6:30 in the evening on Valentine's Day?

Not the best time for a meeting.
_______________________________________________________
The Question They Will NOT Answer:How Much Jail Time?


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Teen/community center meeting date change
John Munford's picture
Submitted by John Munford on Mon, 02/04/2008 - 3:40pm.

They initially gave us the wrong date for the meeting. It will be Wednesday, Feb. 13 and the story has been corrected to reflect that.


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Wrong date? Sounds like a cover-up to me!
Submitted by sageadvice on Mon, 02/04/2008 - 4:07pm.

I asked for one of these in 1997,98,99,20,01,---08.

But not for just south PTC.

A real one with everything and made of big stones and with a slate roof.
We will raise the money to build it providing the town will run it.
Just try it and see.

I remember others asking for the same thing. Now, I know employees don't want to work at night and don't want to deal with kids, but so what? Get some that will!

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