The old Masonic Lodge in Libby has been turned into a new youth center. The Libby Youth Center officially opened on April 15 and is being billed as a safe environment for the community’s children to go after school. The center is located at 1218 Utah Avenue.
Hank Maxim, a local contractor and builder in Libby, spearheaded the effort to build a youth center. He purchased the building late last year, as well as some of the entertainment inside, including pool tables, arcade games and Ping-Pong tables.
“This gives the kids a place to go and something to do,” Maxim said. “It helps keep them out of trouble on Friday and Saturday nights.”
A board of directors runs the center and secretary and treasurer Laura Tindall said they plan on establishing a youth board as well. She said she hopes the kids who come to the center have a sense of ownership to take care of the facility themselves.
The youth center will be open from 3 to 6 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday and 3 to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. There is a grand opening celebration and barbeque dinner planned for May 11.