Caledonia Argus

The Underground youth center opens this Friday

Posted: 12/17/02

by Andrew Miller
Argus News Reporter

Finally, a way to socialize with someone other than Sonic the Hedgehog, Lara Croft, or Mario and Luigiñ The Underground youth center will open this Friday, December 20, offering area adolescents a chance to hang out, get wild, and engage in some good-natured revelry with peers.

Jerry VanRavenhorst, the impetus behind the centerís creation, saw the need for such a place in the Caledonia community and, as pastor of Bread of Life on Main Street, had the facility to make the center a reality.

ìWhen I was a kid we had places to hang out, but our kids have no place to hang out except the Kwik Trip,î VanRavenhorst said. ìWe just wanted a place for the kids to hang out in a clean environmentñ drug free and alcohol freeñ and something that the kids can belong to and get influenced in a positive way.î

The Underground will feature pool tables, a foosball table, a ping pong table, darts, and television. Snacks like popcorn and hot chocolate will be available for purchase. VanRavenhorst hopes to host dances at some point in the futureñ with either local bands or a stereo providing the musicñ and, keeping with the centerís basic motto of ìbe cool, be loud, have fun,î encourages kids to bring CDs and tapes to be played while theyíre there.

There is no charge for admittance, and youth of all age levels are welcome to attend. The Undergroundís hours are Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday, 3:30-10p.m., Friday, 3:30-midnight, and Saturday, noon-midnight. It is located in the basement of Bread of Life at 1211 East Main Street.

If you would like to support the center, donations of both cash and furnitureñ especially couchesñ are being sought. To donate, contact Jerry VanRavenhorst at 724-3424.

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