Player's 9th Street Youth Center was created by youth for youth during the summer of 1995. In 1997 the center moved to a new facility which doubled the space and provided for expanded programs. Over 1,000 memberships have been sold since the center opened five years ago. Over 100 youth ages 13-17 have received employment training via the center with hundreds of others gaining valuable job skills through volunteering.
Youth try to plan and implement at least one special event each month.
The center has had to adjust its hours of operation depending on funding availability. Hours have varied from 3 days per week totaling 24 hours when we first opened , to 7 days per week totaling 35-68 hours depending on time of year and school schedules. The new building is located on property adjacent to the Parker Pool and Park which is centrally located in town. Thousands of hours of volunteer time are donated each year, saving money for the youth center while teaching valuable job skills to area teens. Throughout the year, the center has been used for educational youth programs by 4-H, DARE, La Paz County Probation, Parker Little League, Parker Pop Warner and the Summer Youth Employment Program.