Get free hands-on activities and a snack at sneak previews of the two new centers:
4 to 6 p.m. Monday at Grace Jordan Elementary School, 6411 W. Fairfield Ave.
4 to 6 p.m. Wednesday at Morley Nelson Elementary School, 7701 W. Northview St.
For years, children in southwest and west Boise neighborhoods had little to keep them occupied after school. That's all about to change.
Two new school-based community recreation centers will soon open at Grace Jordan and Morley Nelson elementary schools. But the public can get a sneak peek during special open houses next week.
On Thursday, crews were setting up foosball tables, flat-screen TV's and banks of computers in rooms painted in cool, funky colors. Rooms radiate from a central open area.
The centers are the result of the city's CLEAR initiative - City Leaders Engaged in After School Reform - created by the National League of Cities.
Boise Mayor Dave Bieter's Council on Children and Youth earlier identified two areas it would focus on: developing after-school programs and an interactive mapping system showing parents programs already available to their children.
The city has also focused on bringing services into neighborhoods, rather than providing single locations that leave out children without transportation or easy access.
Certain neighborhoods were chosen based on how many free or reduced lunches are served at area schools, relative lack of existing parks and recreation facilities and elevated juvenile crime statistics.
The centers give children a place to go, find hobbies and friends and stay out of trouble during crucial after school hours, said Doug Holloway, superintendent of recreation services.
"Kids just need a place to go if they have no place. This provides a safe, supervised environment for them," Holloway said. "This meets everything we have set as goals and objectives for our youth in need in the community. They are accessible to kids in need."
One room in the center at Grace Jordan Elementary includes dance mirrors and ballet barres, a kiln room and shelves for art activities. This room will host fee-based art and fitness programs for children and adults.
But the real focus of the centers is to provide a free, supervised and safe place for kids and teens.
Kid City is a free after-school drop-in program for children in grades four through six. The program includes art and fitness, homework assistance and a snack by the Idaho Foodbank. Kid City will be open weekdays year round.
Center staff expect to serve about 50 children each day at both sites.
"We want to reach a large and diverse population where everyone feels welcome," said Chris Kranz, supervisor of the Grace Jordan center. "When kids get bored, that's when they start thinking about ways to get in trouble. We want to offer a wide variety of activities for kids to develop as a hobby or career that will be with them for the rest of their lives."
The center even has a beckoning space for finicky teenagers to gather and chill. The free, drop-in teen center features an informal gathering space with cozy lounge chairs, computer stations, a big-screen TV and interactive video games. Staff members will provide mentoring and life skills development for teens.
The City of Boise partnered with the Boise School District, which included the construction cost of the centers in a school bond. The city agreed to build a third community center at Whitney Elementary School for $600,000. The city pays to operate the centers.
The Grace Jordan and Morley Nelson centers open for the school year on Aug. 25. The Whitney Elementary center is scheduled to open next year.
Kathleen Kreller: 377-6418
The Idaho Statesman is pleased to offer this opportunity to share information and observations about what's in the news. Some comments may be reprinted elsewhere in the site or in the newspaper. We encourage lively, open debate but ask that you remain on topic. Comments that are profane, personal attacks or otherwise inappropriate are subject to removal.
@Nyx.CommentBody@