Cultural Center’s Program Under Way

The Coeur d’Alene Cultural Center opened on a part-time basis Monday for a summer Youth for Christ program.

Positive Attitudes for Awesome Kids - or PAAK is using the building for dance and karate classes, drama and music, and as a meeting place for activities such as sailing, paint ball, in-line skating, a talent show and more.

Volunteer labor and donations during the past six years have led to the center’s opening this summer. An open house is scheduled for July 4.

Center organizers hope to launch other cultural activities in the century-old brick building soon. The center is on Mullan Road, adjacent to City Park. It once housed the power center for an electric railway.

Many businesses have donated labor and materials to make the building habitable, including H&H Dozer, O’Day Custom Construction Inc., Central Premix, Louisiana Pacific and others.

So far, the lobby, office and main room are usable, but four classrooms still need to be finished. More donations of labor and money are needed, said Kathi Pocklington, the center’s vice president.

The center’s primary fund-raiser is the sale of engraved bricks, which are to be placed permanently at the building. The bricks cost $50 each. Call 765-8196 for more information.

, DataTimes