KILLEEN, TX — Killeen city leaders approved a $543,825 renovation plan with Randall Scott Architects, Inc. Tuesday to turn the Killeen Community Center into a multi-generational facility by adding on a senior center.
However, not everyone is happy with the project. Some locals say the City has turned a blind eye to teens and other youth.
“There’s really not a lot of opportunities for our kids,” said resident Deezil Greezil. “There are some other opportunities, but they cost money. For the average working person, that is a check. You really don’t have a lot of resources left to invest in your kids.”
Locals say the City should invest in programs for the youth, like the IMpossible Paradigm Shifters Teen Center, just like they do for the seniors.
“If you broke $100,000 to all the youth groups here, that would help out tremendously to all our causes. It would help the City overall,” said ImPossible Paradigm Shifters Teen Center founder Vantonio Farley.
“We have murders being committed by young men and women, who are teens, based on gang activity. That lets you know that we need to reach our youth,” said Greezil.
Initially, the Bob Gilmore Senior Center was to be renovated, but the plan was changed due to structural concerns with the building.
Several seniors say they’ve had to share the Killeen Community Center and watch their building close and reopen due to the pandemic.
They believe the new facility will allow them to have a space of their own.
City officials say now that the plans are approved, they’re hoping to begin construction within the next 12 months and finish the project in 2022.
During their city Council meeting, city leaders committed to beefing up youth programs and finding more opportunities to help local youth
