The Club, the new teen center at the Spot, opened to a crowd of high school students, Jan. 19.
The Club is now open to dependents ages 13 to 18-years-old, and provides them access to a computer lab, billiards room, dance floor with a d.j. booth and an entertainment area with three 42- inch flat screen televisions, multiple Playstation 3s, multiple XBOX 360s and a Wii.
The need for a teen center was recognized after membership started to drop because of the compressed hours available at the Kishaba Youth and Teen Center. The teens and youths couldn't share hours at the center, so the time had to be divided.
Ultimately, it was damaging the experience for both the youths and the teens, said Cullen Ohashi, the chief of the Children, Youth and Teen program.
The plan for a teen center's development at the Spot was developed about a year ago. After contracts were finalized last November construction began, Ohashi said.
There was also a need for the teens to have "a safe place to call their own," said Col. Frank A. Simonds, the camp commander for Camp Foster.
It is exciting to have an area that is only for teens, said Joanne Mariscal, 17, a senior at Kubasaki High School.
The first visit to the center is free. Following visits require a membership in the Kishaba Youth and Teen Center Program, said Ohashi.
Though not yet a member, Mariscal planned on signing up right away after getting a look at the new venue, she said.
"The pool area is really cool," Mariscal added.
The cost of registration is $24 a year and teens can sign up at the teen center, said Ohashi.
Membership at the Club also opens up a variety of other programs to teens for education and career development, health and life skills, the arts and other opportunities in sports, fitness and recreation.
For more information visit the Club or call 645-8015.
The hours of operation are Monday through Thursday 2 to 7 p.m.; Friday 2 to 10 p.m.; Saturdays, and Fridays when there is no school, noon to 10 p.m.
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