Pea Ridge Parks Director Discusses Plans for New Youth Center, Expected to be Named The Garage
Kaleb Turner, the recently appointed director of Pea Ridge’s Parks and Recreation Department, is enthusiastic about providing a dedicated space for young people to socialize and learn new skills within the city’s newly purchased Myrick building on Smith Street, which he is considering naming The Garage.
This youth hangout will cater to 13- to 17-year-olds, offering a space for recreation with amenities like pool tables and a Foosball table, as well as a concession stand. Additionally, Turner plans to introduce various programs aimed at promoting healthy lifestyles, such as cooking, yoga, and Pilates classes. He intends to involve experts and professionals to engage with the youth, focusing on life skills they can apply as they transition into adulthood.
Turner, who officially started work two weeks ago, is committed to seeing young people thrive by offering them critical life skills that he himself lacked upon graduating from college. He wants to help them navigate tasks like renting apartments and writing checks.
The facility is expected to be open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. during the summer and 3 to 6 p.m. during the school year, five days a week. Turner hopes to recruit volunteers who will undergo a training and vetting process to ensure a safe and supportive environment for the youth. The mayor and Turner are also exploring options for renting or borrowing the facility, mirroring the arrangement for the previous community room.
Mayor Nathan See, who joined Turner at the Arkansas Municipal Convention in Little Rock, sees this project as an opportunity to tap into grant and funding opportunities that require the presence of a parks and recreation director. Turner’s proactive approach has impressed the mayor, who is optimistic about the City of Pea Ridge’s future.
