Friends of Youth likely to manage Si View center

Published 12:31 pm Thursday, October 2, 2008

NORTH BEND – A group linked by years of service to Valley recreation opportunities will likely take over the management responsibilities of the Si View Community Center beginning next year.

Earlier this month the Si View Metropolitan Park District commissioners voted 3-2 to enter into contract negotiations with Redmond-based Friends of Youth. If approved, the contract would find Friends of Youth operating the 65-year-old Valley staple.

“Our goal is to serve the community’s needs,” said Susan Rogel, assistant director of program operations for Friends of Youth.

While Friends of Youth might be an unfamiliar name to some, the nonprofit company’s Snoqualmie Valley Youth Hub program, which has been under the group’s control for the last three years, has been a strong presence in the community for many years.

The Hub program is a partnership between the cities of North Bend, Snoqualmie, King County and the Snoqualmie Valley School District that provides cultural, athletic, recreational and educational opportunities to more than 4,000 young people in the Valley during nonschool hours.

Si View Park District commissioner Kevin Haggerty said Friends of Youth was chosen because of its “broad range of interests” and connections to prior Valley recreation services. The commissioners also were considering an independent Valley community group and the option of managing Si View themselves.

For the complete story, pick up a copy of this week’s Valley Record