The downtown YMCA in Billings has opened a new Teen Center, thanks to a $90,000 grant received in May. This facility offers a training center, street basketball court, and an e-sports room aimed at keeping local teens engaged in positive activities. Jacob Granneman, the Sports Director for the YMCA, emphasizes the importance of providing a safe space for teens to socialize and learn new skills while having fun.
BILLINGS, Mont. – The YMCA in downtown Billings celebrated the grand opening of its new teen center, a facility designed to engage local youth in positive activities.
The YMCA received a $90,000 grant in May to create this space specifically for teenagers. The center features a training area, a street basketball court, and an e-sports room. The goal is to provide teens with opportunities to stay active and out of trouble.
“We’ve had a lot of you know teen violence in the community and other such problems, so this kind of spread out of that like hey we’re a community organization and the Y is here to help and support the community, that’s what we do, that’s what I really love about what I do here, and we’re just missing that demographic, so this space kind of came out of the need for that, and how to bring them in, how to give them a safe place, and keep them active or keep them learning, or keep them growing in some way,” said Jacob Granneman, Sports Director for the YMCA.
The teen center offers various activities, including access to the basketball court, workout programs with personal trainers, and an e-sports program. Granneman noted that many kids play video games alone at home and don’t participate in school sports. He hopes the e-sports program will allow them to be part of a team and socialize while playing the games they enjoy.
The e-sports program also provides opportunities for teens to compete internationally, potentially leading to scholarships and new skills.
“Elite gaming live is an E-sports program, where they compete in their games, but then after they’re done with their game for the week or whatever they’re doing — in order to compete for the nationals they have to go ahead and take these classes like audio engineering, cloud engineering, UIUX design, and stuff like that, in order to actually gain the extra points that you’ll need to compete in nationals, so we’ll be able to teach them something too,” Granneman added.
The center is open to 12 to 18-year-olds with a YMCA membership. Programs like e-sports and other training activities require an additional fee. Non-members can receive a one-time free guest pass to explore the center and see if it suits their interests.
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