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By Charles Doud - and John Rieping

The new John Wells Youth Center is under constuction at Centennial Park.

Photo by: Wendy Alexander

Work has begun on the John W. Wells Youth Center in Centennial Park and, according to Parks and Community Services director Mary Anne Seay, the 24,443-square-foot structure should be open in about a year.

Seay said construction began the week of May 5 with the removal of some of the trees in the park, which once was called Swimming Pool Park because the city pool is there, too. It was renamed in 2007 in honor of Madera's first century as an incorporated city.

The youth center was officially named Wednesday night for former city council member John W. Wells when the Madera City Council voted unanimously to accept a committee's recommendation to put Wells' name on the building.

"That was quite unexpected, and I think it's quite an honor," Wells said. "Mary Anne called me last night and told me about it (the vote)."

He said seeing the youth center under construction is a nice cap to his council career.

"I appreciate the honor they gave me," he said, "and I would like to thank each of them individually. Also I would like to have an invitation sent to Rep. George Radanovich and Sen. Barbara Boxer to be here when it opens."

Wells, who served on the council for about four decades, was the principal champion for the youth center, not only pushing for it in council meetings and budget sessions, but raising grant money for it as well.

Grassroots effort

Another key group pushing hard for the center for the past three years has been the Madera Youth Center Networks, a nonprofit organization consisting of volunteers who already work with youth around Madera. The group meets regularly and has worked with city and county officials on the project, including County Supervisor Max Rodriguez and Larry Hibdon of the Madera Parks and Recreation Department.

"For all his efforts, we thought why not name it after John Wells?" said Howard Scruggs, board member of MYCN. "Fortunately, we yoked up with him, along with the youth group coming up right before us and more youth coming up the following year. All of us getting on the ball and pushing this and we got a Youth Center built."

The next step, said Scruggs, is filling and staffing the new center once it is completed. The organization intends to help the city "facilitate programs on a volunteer basis." The purpose is not just to occupy youth in positive ways but to mentor them as well.

"We want to be something more than babysitters for the kids. We want to make a difference in their lives," he said. "We know that kids are less likely to get into trouble when they have people they can look up to and have a relationship with - people with good ethics who want to set a good standard for the kids."

Because many members of the MYCN already work with youth in the context of religious ministry, the group's relationship with the city and county has been a bit of a dance over the years, although a fruitful one.

"We come from different church communities within Madera itself ... They (city officials) are still scared of us I think, being the Christians that we are," Scruggs said with a laugh. "We want training with our mentors. We know we have to separate church and state or we're going to have trouble."

Construction plans

Seay said the contractor, Meadows Construction, got its notice to proceed on May 19.

"They have 365 days to complete the project."

She said the youth center will include a gymnasium, several recording studios, computer labs and meeting rooms.

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Charles Doud Charles "Chuck" Doud is the Editor and Publisher for the Madera Tribune. You can contact Chuck at 674.8431 or e-mail him (cdoud) at maderatribune.net The Madera Tribune online subscription To subscribe or log on, CLICK HERE. For more information first, CLICK HERE.