Community center offers options for meetings, leisure activity

Tristan Shepard, 14, considers his options before taking his shot on a pool table at the Franklin P. Norman City/County Community Center on Monday, having been left with some tough choices by fellow pool player Nathan McCall. Meanwhile, another youth sat nearby and another few lounged near the doorway. Area youth often gather at the community center for a while after school, said community center director Phil Bures, who has served as director since August. The parks department hopes to find ways to get the word out better about all that the center offers and encourage patrons to use the facility more often. Lynn A. Wade/Daily Mail.

If you haven't taken a look at the Franklin P. Norman City/County Community Center lately, it's worth a new look, indicated director Phil Bures, offering a tour to local businesspersons attending a "Chamber After Hours" gathering at the center on Monday.

"People come in here who haven't been here for a long time, and they say, 'boy it's really changed,'" he said.

He's been the director since August, and new programming is in the works, and some old favorites are back.

The annual Treats without Tricks is just around the corner. Sponsored by the Nevada Elks Lodge, the event is slated for Oct. 31, 4:30-7:30 p.m. (right after the Safe Treats Parade around the Square, set to begin at 3.)

The center was expanded and remodeled in 2010, reopening after a construction hiatus, in April 2010. Nevertheless, some still haven't been into the new facility, which has a game room with a television equipped with cable television programming and Wii, foosball and a pool table; plus, there's small gym and a full-size gymnasium that's sometimes used for school games and is often used for community sports. For example, a men's basketball league is forming now, Bures said.

Numerous programs are under development, too, including a Kids Night Out event for later this year and more. A variety of dance classes are under way now.

Area youth at the center at the time say they use the facility regularly, but each noted a different aspect of the center they like. One enjoys the Wii; others enjoy the pool table; still another likes "just hanging out."

Several people walk laps around the indoor track, too, for fitness.

Meeting rooms and gymnasiums are available for low fees, starting at $15 an hour; and there are plenty of times when patrons of all ages (those younger than 8 years must be accompanied by someone age 16 or older) can enjoy the track for free.

The center is open 6 a.m.-9 p.m., Monday through Friday, 9 a.m.-9 p.m., Saturdays; and noon-9 p.m. on Sundays.

For information on fees or programs, visit www.nevadamo.org/community-center.

Franklin P. Norman City/County Community Center director Phil Bures, seated, listens as Nevada Parks and Recreation Board President Jeff Post tells Nevada Vernon County Chamber of Commerce director Gina Ensor of the features of the center and the expansion completed last year, during an open house on Monday.

"We're trying to get the word out about how much the community center has to offer," Bures said. "It's a great facility."