“Options were explored to make a portion of the building available this winter, but none proved reasonable, safe or cost effective. We are committed to rehabilitating and renovating the facility as soon as possible,” according to Richard Mammen, Director of MPRB Community Recreation Services.

For the last 15 months the community center has provided a safe and engaging place for 75-150 youth daily through the Club Youthline program despite the facility’s operational challenges, Mammen said. “As we strengthened programming and community partnerships at Club Youthline this last year, we became even more committed to finding funds to rehabilitate the community center to excellence. In addition to the capital improvements program, we will increase our efforts to find additional funding and partnerships.”

Building History
The original Phillips Junior High building was constructed in 1926; the pool and gym were built as an addition in 1973. The school was to be demolished in 1982, but instead an agreement was reached with the Park Board to assume ownership of the pool and gym, which it did in 1987. A $1.5 million renovation followed.

The renovation was groundbreaking in that for the first time, private non-profit foundations contributed most of the money for a park project including the McKnight, Bush and Minneapolis foundations. Their contributions were augmented by city and federal grants.

The operation of the center followed a model developed at Bethune Park with the Phyllis Wheatley Center where the building was leased to a social service agency. The primary tenant was the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Twin Cities. In addition, the YWCA operated a daycare center in the building and Pillsbury United Communities conducted programs as well.

In June 2008 the MPRB reclaimed the building after 20 years of occupancy by the Boys and Girls Clubs, which exercised the option to not renew its lease. Realizing the building was in need of considerable repair, options included seeking proposals for funding from community organizations for its use, or operate as long as possible while seeking funding for rehabilitation and reuse.

Because of the MPRB’s concerns for the recreational needs of neighborhood youth and its commitment to support the strategies set forth in the Youth Violence Prevention Blueprint, the building reopened in July 2008 as the site of Club Youthline. Club Youthline is a program that works with teens to build relationships, life skills and develop positive self-esteem through classes, civic engagement and social interaction.

As a result of the building’s closure, Club Youthline will move its on-going programs to Stewart and Peavey parks (each three blocks away) and to Phillips neighborhood churches and nonprofit agencies. “The community has really stepped up as partners” Mammen said.