18-03-2025
MAPS 4 partnering with Boys & Girls Club of Oklahoma County on new youth centers
OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) – The Oklahoma City Council approved four locations for new youth centers. The City is partnering with the Boys and Girls Club of Oklahoma County to make a difference in communities.
'I know it will make a difference,' said Teena Belcik, President/CEO of Boys & Girls Club of Oklahoma County.
LOCAL NEWS: National Alpaca Show comes to Grady County Fairgrounds
During the city council meeting on Tuesday, city councilors approved the following locations to build new youth centers.
Woodson Park, 3403 S May Ave.
S Santa Fe Ave & SE 66th St.
Northeast Boys & Girls Club, 1501 NE 36th St.
Melrose Community Center, 7800 Melrose Lane
All of them will cost around $80 Million in MAPS 4 funds. That means, it's already paid for after voters approved the debt-free program back in 2019. MAPS 4 is funded by a temporary penny sales-tax, to generate more than $8 Billion over eight years.
MAPS 4 decided on these locations after conducting studies focusing on poverty, crime, and youth violence.
'These youth centers are not typically what people thing of youth centers, that being a gymnasium and a pool,' said David Todd, the MAPS 4 Program Manager.
The youth centers will be designed for children five to 18-years-old or in grades K-12.
They'll also have the personal touch of The Boys and Girls Club of Oklahoma County.
'We know if there's not something super fun or cool or cutting edge then it's going to be a little hard to get the older kids,' said Belcik. 'These youth centers will be designed so there is something for everyone whether it's e-sports, whether it's 3-d printing, or if it's playing basketball.'
LOCAL NEWS: Luther family saved by Edmond Fire Crew #5
They'll also focus on school help and STEM.
'This will allow hundreds if not thousands of more kids every year to have a place to go after school,' said Belcik.
Belcik said every community is different, so they'll hold discussions to find out exactly what the needs are. They definitely want input from the youth.
'We want to make sure they know how to use their voice in a positive way to effect change,' said Belcik.
OKC and The Boys and Girls Club are hitting the ground running, starting with Woodson Park.
'We'll start seeing design renderings this summer and then hopefully, before the end of the year,' said Todd.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
