2008 Woodie Awards
Teen Central brings big benefits to community, presents space challenges
By: Andy Ouriel
Issue date: 4/4/08 Section: Local
It was always hard for teens to find a place to hang out after school with their friends, before the school year started. But now with Teen Central, or more commonly known as the BG Teen Center, there are many more students participating in the new program.
The idea for the teen center came from Linda Dobb, executive vice president of BGSU wanting a place for teens to go and occupy their afternoons after school days.
"It started with an idea with our teens in town wanting to go somewhere," Dobb said. "Everything just fell into place when we got some grants and a couple of the young people who lived in Bowling Green got behind the idea."
Dobb did not realize the immediate success the teen center would have.
Only open since September, the teen center has expanded from an initial seven members to now 90.
More members occupying the teen center results in less space available.
"One of the current obstacles is dealing with the space here," said Niki Messmore, director of the teen center. "Some days with a lot of teens, it does impede the best we can be because it limits what we can do."
Bowling Green Junior High School student Jessica Partlow enjoys the afterschool program, mentioning how she likes to be with her friends, but notices it can get loud with the high amount of people in the room.
Partlow, 14, said she would really like the teen center to implement sections where people can lay down and get away from all the noise.
But even with these requests, sometimes it's just not possible to meet every demand.
Although space is something everyone would like more of, it's just not possible at the moment.
Bowling Green Parks and Recreation Director Michelle Grigore, along with the city, provided the building the teen center occupies in Veterans Park. Even though it's a cheaper alternative to a building in the downtown area, the space is not ideal.
"We don't have another room," said Michelle Grigore. "If they feel it's too small, they may have to look for another site or location."
The idea for the teen center came from Linda Dobb, executive vice president of BGSU wanting a place for teens to go and occupy their afternoons after school days.
"It started with an idea with our teens in town wanting to go somewhere," Dobb said. "Everything just fell into place when we got some grants and a couple of the young people who lived in Bowling Green got behind the idea."
Dobb did not realize the immediate success the teen center would have.
Only open since September, the teen center has expanded from an initial seven members to now 90.
More members occupying the teen center results in less space available.
"One of the current obstacles is dealing with the space here," said Niki Messmore, director of the teen center. "Some days with a lot of teens, it does impede the best we can be because it limits what we can do."
Bowling Green Junior High School student Jessica Partlow enjoys the afterschool program, mentioning how she likes to be with her friends, but notices it can get loud with the high amount of people in the room.
Partlow, 14, said she would really like the teen center to implement sections where people can lay down and get away from all the noise.
But even with these requests, sometimes it's just not possible to meet every demand.
Although space is something everyone would like more of, it's just not possible at the moment.
Bowling Green Parks and Recreation Director Michelle Grigore, along with the city, provided the building the teen center occupies in Veterans Park. Even though it's a cheaper alternative to a building in the downtown area, the space is not ideal.
"We don't have another room," said Michelle Grigore. "If they feel it's too small, they may have to look for another site or location."
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