After being closed for more than seven months, the Cove Youth Center in downtown Crookston is reopening to area high school youth starting Wednesday.
Anke Wiersma, the President of the Crookston Youth Board, said being shut down for so long, especially during the summer months, was unfortunate timing, but she feels confident that the Youth Center is ready to safely welcome back area youth. “Summer is generally when we really have a lot of fun things going on,” Wiersma said, “and provide that space for kids, especially when the schools aren’t open. So, that was very hard to not be open during that time. Thankfully, we’ve been able to iron out those COVID guidelines and figure out how we can make this space clean and safe for people to be in.”
The Cove, which is a subset of the Crookston Youth Foundation, first opened in January 2019, and according to Wiersma, it provides a safe space for high school-aged youth to have fun and safely interact. “In this space, we have a bunch of different amenities and areas where high school youth can come after school and have that safe space,” Wiersma said. “It’s a place where you can hang out and have friends and enjoy yourselves. Parents can also know that their kids are somewhere safe after school. We have snacks and food and drinks available for kids. We have video games, computers, music rooms and we host a plethora of activities like trivia night.”
A maximum of 14 students will be allowed in the Cove at once, as social distancing and mask-wearing will be required. Hand sanitizer will be readily available inside, the kitchen is closed off and high-touch surfaces and areas will be regularly cleaned and disinfected.
The Youth Center will be open on Wednesdays and Fridays from 3:30-6:30 p.m. for 7th and 8th graders, and then from 6:30-9:30 p.m. for youth in grades 9-12. To check availability and find out more information, students and parents are asked to call 218-470-0149. Students will also be asked to update registration upon arrival.
