A real teen effort: After years of work, Dixon youth center/skatepark ready to open

DIXON – Area teens will have the chance to work on, drop in and hang out this summer at the GenNex Teen Center and Skate Park that opens Friday.

The Project GenNex group has spent 4 years raising funds and working to convert the Veterans Memorial Pool in Vaile Park to a community youth center.

There's still a long list of cleaning, repairs and improvements to make before the transformation is complete, but enough work has been done to allow the center at 251 Custer Ave. to open from 5 to 9 p.m. Fridays and 3. to 7 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays through August,

Those hours could be extended depending on how the turnout is, and special events are in the works.

Project founder Steve Wilson said larger-scale work will be left to professionals, but teens will benefit from the sweat equity they put into the center.

"They have to discover that this place is for them," he said. "They will feel like they have more ownership of the place if they're the ones getting it ready."

The overall plan to is to spruce up the bowl and outfit the area with ramps on the skate park side of operations, and dedicate rooms in the teen center for life skills workshops, meetings, and space to work on art, music and the like.

Some of those life skills workshops could include how to create a résumé, interview for a job, manage finances, balance a checkbook and other topics.

"This whole thing is going to be evolving as we go on, and we'll adjust and change as the needs of the kids change," he said.

Wilson said about a dozen adult volunteers have signed on to supervise the center while it's open; a meeting will take place at 6 p.m. today at the center for those interested in volunteering.

Volunteers must be 21 or older and are subject to a background check.

The group has raised about $10,000 in 4 years, most of which has been spent on fixing up the building, which closed in 2000 and would have needed millions in repairs to maintain.

Sauk Valley Painting and Staining will be painting the skate bowl this summer for free after the group won a contest hosted by the business.

Wilson said they plan to have a grand opening in the future once more of the work is complete.

MORE INFORMATION

Starting Friday, the GenNex Teen Center and Skatepark, 251 Custer Ave., in Vaile Park will be open on weekends through August.

Its tentative hours are 5 to 9 p.m. Fridays and 3 to 7 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays.

Go to projectgennex.org or find Project GenNex on Facebook to donate, volunteer or for more information on the project. Donations also can be made through the Park District.