Updated 11/21/2011 10:46 PM
Lowville Community Center opens
Lowville kids have looking for a place to have some fun for a very long time. But now one local school teacher has found the answer. Our Amanda Kelley tells us about how a small remodeled gym is helping the area's youth to get active and have some fun.
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LOWVILLE, N.Y. -- Teaching at Lowville Academy, Dan Myers witnessed a growing problem in his community. The kids he taught had nowhere to go after class.
Myers said, "Almost like beaver fever, they really needed something outside and complained that there really was nothing going on."
So Myers put together a plan and after several years, it's finally a reality.
Myers said, "It wasn't until the first night when I really started seeing the numbers coming out that I was relieved a little bit and felt this thing really could work."
He's remodeled an old gym in St. Peter's School that hadn't been used in years. Now it's a bustling community center called Doubleplay Sports with activities and kids of all ages.
Doubleplay Board Member and Coach Matthew Zehr said, "It's pretty cool. It's something that the town has had a need for. People have said over and over again that they've had a desire to have something like this for the kids in our area, especially over the winter months. It's just hard to get outside and do things."
Monday night, a youth basketball league took to the new court and practiced their skills.
Noah Watson, 11, said, "I've always wanted to play basketball and I think that Mr. Myers as a coach inspires you to play."
Brandon Sagraves, 12, said, "They're nice, they're really informative and don't yell or scream at you. They're really under control."
And the interest in these programs only continues to grow.
But for Myers, his plans for a community center in Lowville don't stop here. He's got much bigger ideas for the years to come.
Myers said, "Our mission is to create an opportunity for kids age three to adults age 93."
He wants to build a new community center to house all kinds of programs, from zumba to soccer leagues and everything in between.
Myers said, "I've been knocking on a lot of doors for a number of years telling people about this. What we want to do and I was able to secure a few small donations."
Doubleplay Sports is working to officially become a non-profit organization and apply for grants in the upcoming year. But for now, everyone's still amazed at how far this idea has already developed.
Zehr said, "I think sometimes you don't really realize what it is until you come and you get to see the kids play and get a taste of what it's all about."