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57 °F Forecast | Road Cams Sunday, September 19, 2004 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics Tempo AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map SPECIAL SECTIONS Since We Asked Outdoor Journal How To Guide Wellness Connection Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Wedding Guide Rogue Valley's Finest EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People MARKETPLACE Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Classifieds Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend August 31, 2004 Kids Unlimited youths haul the sand and cement from the floor of their new building. Mail Tribune / Bob Pennell Youths donate blister equity Kids Unlimited volunteers help prepare a former bowling alley that will be the program’s new home By DAMIAN MANN Mail Tribune Proudly showing off his blisters, 14-year-old Ricardo Martinez has expended a little sweat equity helping remodel the new headquarters for Kids Unlimited. Martinez and 20 other local youths have spent a week breaking up concrete and hauling it out in wheelbarrows to get the nonprofit’s digs ready for November. "I think it’ll turn out better than the other place," said the Medford teenager, surveying the 26,000-square-foot building that was formerly Medford Bowling Lanes. Kids Unlimited, which serves about 1,000 children each week, will move out of its Main Street location to its new home at 821 N. Riverside Ave. as soon as the building is ready. Another 14-year-old boy, Brandon Kezer of Medford, said he’s been getting a workout. "Your arms get all weak afterwards," he said. Advertisement Kids Unlimited Director Tom Cole has earned a few blisters himself. Manning a jackhammer, Cole has been busy breaking up an uneven concrete surface that was the former indoor miniature golf course. Five Dumpsters filled with concrete have been hauled away since the work began. "We can’t waste any time," said Cole. "We’ve got double rent." Kids Unlimited is paying $7,000 a month for its new quarters along with $11,000 at the old address. But once the work is done, Cole said, "We’ll be saving $4,000 a month." The miniature golf course is being turned into a theater/dance club and musical education space. Part of the bowling lanes eventually will be converted into a basketball court, which should be a big attraction for local youths, he said. A full kitchen comes with the building, and Cole hopes to be serving meals under a program sponsored by local schools. As part of the rental agreement, Kids Unlimited will eventually purchase the building for $1.7 million. To make the bowling alley ready for children, Cole wants to raise $300,000 that will include the cost of building the gymnasium. Cole said about $20,000 has been pledged so far, but he is also discussing financing options with local banks. He is receiving help from local contractors including Bear Creek Painting and Drywall. Many of the youths helping out are looking forward to a reward for their labors. They will be taken to a basketball tournament in Oakland, Calif., this weekend. "This will be the first time many of these kids have ever seen the ocean," said Cole. Leroi Dedeaux, activities director for the organization, said the remodeling project has strengthened the bond between youths and adults and is helping the community. "Doing things side by side with kids helps gain their trust and respect," said Dedeaux. "It’s going to be a part of history and they are a part of that history." For more information on the fund-raising drive or to offer services, call 774-3900. Reach reporter Damian Mann at 776-4476, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2004 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback ADVERTISERS A D V E R T I S E R S SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Opportunities