Youth center grand opening May 18

The Libby Youth Center is hosting a grand opening celebration from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 11, at 1218 Utah Avenue. 

The center is the brainchild of area resident Hank Maxim, who bought the old Masonic Lodge with the idea of providing a wholesome, safe environment for area teens to meet, mingle and enjoy each other’s company. The center unofficially opened in April, but the board of directors decided to throw a grand opening party and open house to provide area youths and parents an inside look at the center.

The free celebration will include a barbecue dinner and tours of the center. Board members Dean Herreid, Laura Tindall, Irene Loveless, Hank Maxi, Austin Swartzenberger and Bob Henline will be on hand to answer any questions from the public about the center.

“Libby Youth Center is open to young people from sixth to 12th grade,” said board member Dr. Laura Tindall. “It’s open Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 3 p.m. until 6 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 3 p.m. until 10 p.m. Once school ends for the year we’ll probably expand the hours, but the board and the youth advisory board haven’t discussed it formally yet.”

Maxim purchased the building and several pool tables, arcade games and other activities for area youths and formed a 501(c)3 non-profit organization and board of directors to manage the center. The board will handle the legal and financial management of the center, while a youth advisory board, formed from the center’s patrons, will manage the day-to-day operations. Board of Directors member Austin Swartzenberger will serve on the youth advisory board and coordinate between the two boards.

“Libby Youth Center is of the youths, by the youths and for the youths,” Tindall said. “The newly-formed youth advisory board will establish all the rules and provide input on all of the decisions about activities and events of the center. We want this to be the place our youth want to be.”