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Community Corner

Murrieta Youth Center: Community, Elected Officials Celebrate Grand Opening

"Responsibility and Empowerment" serve as Youth Center's motto.

The community was invited to attend the grand opening of the Murrieta Youth Center on Saturday.

The four-hour event kicked off with a ribbon cutting ceremony at 10 a.m., which was attended by elected officials including Senator Joel Anderson (R-Alpine), Assemblywoman Melissa Melendez (R-Lake Elsinore), Murrieta Mayor Rick Gibbs, Council members Randon Lane and Alan Long, and Ken Dickson, who serves as a board member of the Murrieta Valley Unified School District.

“We are here to celebrate this great event because this is an important facility to our community and students," Dickson said. "There was a lot of hard work involved in the planning and vision but it has been an exciting thing for us involved in community affairs."

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The Youth Center, estimated at $3.2 million in building costs, is a two-phase project. Phase one, which is the current completed structure and outdoor space, is a 6,000-square-foot facility that offers kids a lounge / game room, computer lab, basketball court, multipurpose room and NEOS wall. According to the city website, the NEOS wall is “an outdoor large innovative and interactive game that engages players in high intensity challenges.”

The facility also offers a conference room and several offices to be used by staff members.

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According to Councilman Long, phase two of the Youth Center is intended to be an indoor gymnasium, along with a workout room and locker room, which is expected to be completed at a later date.

Beau Davis, recreation coordinator for the City of Murrieta, will oversee the facility and its events. Davis, who has experience overseeing summer camps and other youth facilities in the past, says that the motto of the Murrieta Youth Center is “Responsibility and Empowerment.”

“It has been a great turnout and everyone has been totally positive and upbeat about it," Davis said. "This is all about the kids and to help them make responsible choices."

Saturday’s grand opening served as one of four celebratory events. Three additional events include:

Mon., Nov. 25 – 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., “Outdoor Challenges: Come out and challenge your friends in wacky games and earn your youth center fame.”

Tue., Nov. 26 – 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., “NEOS Extravaganza: Compete on the coolest game system in Murrieta at the Youth Center. Be the first to set your dominance at NEOS!”

Wed., Nov. 27 – 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., “Final Bash: The Final Bash will be the celebration of the Youth Center and our chance to give away tons of prizes, including an iPad.”

All events are free.

For more information on Youth Center hours and events, visit www.murrieta.org/youth. For questions regarding the facility, contact Beau Davis at 951-461-6117 or bdavis@murrieta.org.

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