Work underway on facility that started as dream to give kids a safe place
REEDSVILLE — Building the Preston County Youth Center (PCYC) started as a dream.
“Glen Larew had a vision and wanted to do something for the youth of Preston County,” Roxanne Blosser, executive director of PCYC, said. “He donated the land and put together a team of people who had the same vision — a safe place for kids to spend time.”
PCYC is located on W.Va. 7 behind Three Guys Fitness, across from Luigi’s Sports Center.
Tony Deal, CEO/president of Insurance Centers Inc., said the “steel is going up.”
“It’s a seven-acre site,” Deal said. “The earth work has been done on the soccer field, We haven’t started on the softball/baseball field yet. But someone did donate artificial turf.”
He said some other amenities to be offered are a full-size basketball court with six retractable rings, indoor batting cages, indoor soccer and wrestling area.
“I will do anything I can for kids,” Deal said. “I was president of the Valley Basketball League. We did a good job. We had between 92 and 126 kids. We struggled with a facility to play in. Roger Street rented us the old West Preston gym. But with boys and girls basketball, cheerleading and track, the space was tight.”
Blosser said sports are not the only option the youth center will offer.
“It’s going to be a full multi-use facility,” she said. “We want to offer some life skills like cooking, sewing and managing finances. We talked to some people at the Preston County Vietnam Veterans of America about doing a basic automobile care class.”
She said they also discussed having a small area for kids who are interested in motorcycle and 4-wheeler repair.
“I reached out after hearing the governor speak about the Game Changer Initiative,” Blosser said. “Hopefully we can get involved with that.”
The Game Changer Initiative is a program aimed at tackling opioid and substance abuse, along with other issues that impact West Virginia’s youth. Its goal is to empower children to make healthy choices.
For more information, to volunteer or make a donation to PCYC go to its Facebook page or call 304-276-4031.
PCYC can also be chosen when making a purchase through Amazon Smile.
TWEET@DominionPostWV
