Children cut ribbon on new Youth Center

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman James Bolinger
  • 436th AW Public Affairs
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  Several of Team Dover's youngest members helped the 18th Air Force commander and his wife cut the ribbon on DAFB's newest facility today.

Maj. Gen. Scott and his wife Kathy, surrounded by a group of kindergarteners officially dedicated the $8.7 million building which offers before and after school care for DAFB's school-age children.

The new building is a huge improvement over the old Youth Center which is only 18,000 square feet and was built in the 1950s.

"Fantastic, Fantastic, Fantastic," said Gary Wininings, Youth Center director. "The last renovation of our old Youth Center was in 1990 when we added four rooms to the existing four rooms and gymnasium.

"The new building has seven rooms dedicated to school-age children, a larger gym, a dedicated art room, a music room, a game room and an expanded computer lab with eight computers. Our basketball program should double in size due to our new gym," said Mr. Wininings who has been working at Dover's Youth Center since 1989.

The new game room includes pool, foosball and air hockey tables, and a big screen T.V. The new gym has six basketball hoops and the kitchen area has been increased.

Kathy Scott, 18th Air Force first lady and prior kindergarten through 8th grade computer teacher, toured the facility with her husband.

"You could get lost in this place," she said. "From what I have heard the program here was already good. The people are good and that's what makes the program great. It's what kids respond to.

"This facility will make it easier for the staff to provide quality care for our children," said. Mrs. Scott. "I have three children who grew up in the Air Force system and if they were to see this building they would be awed. They would say, 'this is an Air Force facility?'"

The larger building will allow more children to attend. According to Mr. Wininings, the new Youth Center will be able to support more than 165 school-age children compared to only 120 children at the old facility.

Master Sgts. Brian and Becky Pederson, 436th Security Forces and Medical Support Squadrons, have two children, Gavin, 8, and Zade, 5, who attend both before- and after-school programs at the Youth Center.

"We were just talking about how long it will take to find our kids in here," said Sergeant Brian Pederson while laughing.

"I expect our kids to use the art room and the music room is nice," said Sergeant Becky Pederson.

Dayna Waithe, 5, helped General and Mrs. Scott cut the ribbon on the facility, which will be opened Monday.

"I like the toys," said Dayna to her father, Tech. Sgt. Douglas Waithe, 436th Command Post.

"They have Candyland and I like the new kitchen and gym," said Nathan Lang, 5, who also helped with the ceremony.

"(Nathan) has been here a couple of months but my other children have been at the Youth Center for 6.5 years and this facility is great," said Tamra Lang, Nathan's mother.

"The Youth Center is an extension of our family," said Tech. Sgt. Jennifer Holton, 436th Mission Support Squadron. "The new building is great, but the quality of the employees and the way they provide for our kids are amazing. My daughter has diabetes and Mrs. Bonnie always helps me when I come to pick her up so I don't have to carry in the twins."

This is an example of the Air Force's commitment to Airmen and their families, said Chief Master Sgt. James Cody, 18th Air Force command chief master sergeant.

"I have never seen a (Youth Center) like this one," he said. "Of course this is the newest one in the Air Force. This facility is really for our families. It's special to see programs like this expand across our Air Force to support our people."

The Youth Center offers a before- and after-school program Monday through Friday from 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. for and a membership program Monday through Friday from 5:30 to 8 p.m. and Saturdays from 1 to 10 p.m. For information on Youth Center programs call 677-6376.