Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1961-05-20
Bethesda Teen Center To Be
Dedicated Next Saturday
100000 Building
First OF Its Kind

DcSllllllIlS SATURDAY, May
~, Montgomery County
teen-agers for the first time
will have a place all their
own-where they can spend
their leisure time in construc.
tive activities under the super
vision of trained recreation
leaders.
On that day, at 10 am, the
Maryland-NationaI Capital Park
and Planning Commission will
dedicate its Bethedsa Youth Cen
ter on Walsh st, just off Wis
consin ave.
The 100000 building is the
first of 10 similar structures
planned by the Commission for
youth in the suburban Maryland
area. They are a vital part of
the commissions Master Plan
for Schools, Parks and Recre.
alton.
Principal speaker at the dedi-
cation ceremonies will be the
Rt. Rev. Msgr. Nicholas H.
Wegner, director of the nation
ally known Boys Town.
Other speakers viii include
Herbert w. Wells, chairman.
and ]. Newton Brewer, ir., vice.
chairman, of the planning agen-
cy; William F. Hickey, presi-
dent of the Montgomery County
Council; State Senator Edward
S. Northrop, and State Comp
troller Louis L. Goldstein.
Music win be provided by 1
string ensemble Of the Mont.
gomery County Youth Orches.
ira.
Although the center is intend.
ed primarily for the use Of
teen'Hgerss it was planned also
with the senior citizens in mind,
Since teenagers win be in school
from 8 am. to $3.50 pm, ths
building will be available 10
adults during these hours.
Street level entrances and a
minimum of steps inside were
aimed particularly for the con-
venience of the elderly.
The plan provides a social hall
with a seating capacity Of $50
on the first floor. This room will
be used for lectures, theatrical
productions and dancing.
A lounge and game room with
adjacent snack bar, storage area
and supervisors office also will
be on this floor. The super
visor's office is centrally located
SO all areas on the first floor
can be controlled by one paid
supervisor.
On the ground floor will be a
hobby room with outside ramp
access. This room will be divid-
ed into work areas for such &C.
tivities as ceramics, woodwork
ing, photography, etc, and win
be under the supervision Of an
instructor. The remaining por-
ticn Of the ground floor is de-
voted to a large storage area
suitable for future use as a
game room, with space for
future toilet rooms.
A paved terrace in the rear
of the building viii be used in
connection with the lounge and
social hall for outdoor recre-
alton, dancing etc. a walk from
the street to the terrace at the
west end of the building pro.
vides a grade entrance to the
first floor. A public parking
area is Immediately across the
street.
The mechanical system con-
sIsts Of warm air heating with
air conditioning provided for
the Social Hall and Lounge.
The Commission has made
certain that the building has the
character and scale of a club
house. Every effort was made
In the design and selection Of
materials to avoid the "institu-
tionsl' look,
The walls Of the lounge are
paneled in natural finished hem
lock. Walls in the social hall are
exposed concrete block laid UP
with projecting headers to pro.
vide a decorative pattern and
accoustical surface. Ceilings in
both Of these rooms have ex-
posed laminated beams painted
and natural finish wood deck
ing. All decor and appointments
are Of the most modern design.
The snack bar win contain
basic items Of equipment sucn
as a soda bar, soft drink dis
penser, hot plates and french
fryer and can be added 10 as
the demand for food services
warrants.