The Palo Pinto County Activity Center is underway. Clint Myrick, Henry Cox, Z Beard, and Rhonda Gibson as well as many others, are working very hard to create a special place for all the people of Mineral Wells, to come together and enjoy. The building will have many purposes including, but not limited to, a center for sports, mentoring for youth, senior venue, and nonprofit office space.
This week’s brainstorming entailed lots of ideas of what the building should have. The group wants the community center to have a framework close to 10,000 to 12,000 square feet with a small, modest kitchen to provide concessions for all consumers. There will be a separate senior space. The group wants the gym to be huge, and they also added the office spaces within the location are to have glass windows looking out onto the gym.
Gibson paints a beautiful image by saying, “ I’d like to see glass offices; that they can see out into the gym… ” It was also noted during the meeting, “I want a senior room” This senior room would be private so that they are not concerned with being interrupted. It is in this area seniors can play dominos, bingo, or socialize.
All bathrooms will be handicap accessible. It is predetermined to have a weight room as well as a conference room. The group is also looking to make this space as multi-purpose as possible. Lastly, the building could also be considered used for a storm shelter for emergencies. But the brainstorming is far from over. The group is open to suggestions from the community to help this project be successful. Henry Cox says, “I would love to see everyone step forward and contribute ideas and suggestions to help make this project go forward. And fundraise for all of Palo Pinto County.”
Going forward, the troop plans on presenting a brand and logo for the public to recognize. The group is currently working with Michael Price on surveying the property for the building. The location is beside Meals on Wheels, at 1410 SE M.L.K. Jr St, Mineral Wells, TX 76067. Richard Signs and Cranes Inc. of Mineral Wells are creating a four by eight sign for the activity center. In the next meeting, the collective plans to have a timeline created and a design of the building. The group is using ideas from other successful activity centers such as the Twin Lakes Community Activity Center in Jacksboro, Texas. Once the steps are in place, they plan to have a groundbreaking social for all to attend. This groundbreaking will allow the public to become fully involved with the project and assist in its fundraising. A budget for the program should be announced soon.
Z Beard, the youth’s voice for this project, wants it known he plans to mentor and teach all youth who attend the activity center. “But ideally, let’s say there’s a kid who’s a freshman, and he tries out for the basketball team he doesn’t make it, then next summer he can join my camp, and in his sophomore year, he makes the team with ease because he had a leader and somebody to guide him.”
Their goal is to create a place for all walks of life to come together. The community center will be a safe place for seniors to meet while collecting their meals, and children can play sports and participate in other activities. Cox states, “ I’d love to see something for the grandkids, kids in town, or single-parent families, so there’s some kind of safety net. It has got to be a multi-use facility.”
For more information and ways to contribute, please Call Rhonda Gibson or Clint Myrick from Meals on Wheels.
Writer | I graduated from Weatherford College with an Associates in Art, focusing on history, creative writings, sociology, and humanities. Experience in child development, client care, and runs local Spoken Word Poetry group for young teens.
