Bill Ryan/The Gazette Nena Allevato (right) talks to Margaret Glessner and Maryalice Self Tuesday about a new recreation center planned for area youth. The newly formed Myersville Recreation Council plans to open the Friday night recreation center in April and is looking for equipment donations.

The council has scheduled two dates ­ Saturday, and March 5 ­ to collect sports and recreation equipment drop-offs. Pool tables, ping-pong tables, foosball tables, board games and video games are among the items on the council's wish list.

The council, established earlier this month, plans to start a music- and activities-filled chaperoned night weekly for youth. Activities may include foosball, ping pong and pool games for active youth and more sedentary activities such as board games and video games.

"You can never have too many opportunities for young and old to congregate," said Myersville Mayor Wayne Creadick.

The recreation center, slated to open in April, will take over Town Hall later this year, when town government moves out.

Now at 8 Harp Place, town government will move in December to a new building on Main Street, part of a $3.5 million project that includes a new fire company building and banquet facilities.

Town council approved the plan for a recreation center in November.

Several local high school students, including Jacqueline Adams, 15, of Middletown, have volunteered to chaperone for a venue they say is needed the community.

"It gets kids off the street and keeps them out of trouble," Adams said of the center. "It's also a fun place to hang out."

Indeed, local police officers consistently report juvenile-related activities at town meeting, Creadick said.

"You hate to see juvenile-related [crimes]," Creadick said. "Is it because we don't have enough things for them to do?"

Sports leagues, church groups and family activities are available to Myersville youth, but town leaders said the town needs a year-round youth organization with a regular, flexible schedule that focuses on "constructive socializing."

Nena Allevato is a youth leader in her parish, Church of the Savior, and for 20 years has taught high school and middle school. She also coaches several youth sports teams, including soccer and basketball, with her husband, a chemistry teacher at Frederick High School.

She said the idea for recreation center spawned from discussions with her youth group members.

"The kids wanted to find a way to get involved in the community, Allevato said. "The idea of a rec center evolved from that."

Allevato said she mentioned the idea at local sport events to neighbors and parents, who said they wanted to be included.

"There's always a large circle of parents talking about what their kids need," Allevato said. "We realized it was something the whole community should be involved in, not just religious or youth groups."

Parishioners from local churches and high school students have committed to supervise evenings, organize events and mentor members.

Organizers hope to cater to Myersville youth, though the center will be open to all students in the Middletown High School Feeder systems. Activities will be geared for students in sixth through 12th grades, with an emphasis on the middle school age group, Allevato said. The center, in the future, may include staggered timeslots specifically for high school students.

Members will be issued an ID card after signing a Contract of Behavior form that includes 10 stipulations, such as agreement not to reenter the facility once having left. This rule, Allevato said, is to deter loitering on the outside grounds and ensure members' safety.

Other guidelines are modeled after Frederick County Public School's codes, such as mandatory conservative dress attire, prohibitions on smoking and drinking and restrictions on vulgar or harassing behavior.

Members will also be required to submit parental consent forms and medical releases for liability waivers, Allevato said.

If the center draws a large audience, future plans may include an expansion with summer camps, community fields trips, activities at Doubs Park and community service projects and a movie night, Allevato said.

"We are really hoping to moving beyond just providing games for kids to play and provide activities to enrich their time," Allevato said.

The committee seeks to establish a calendar of events with dates that will be coordinated with the Myersville and Middletown Middle and High school activity calendars.

Two to three chaperones will likely be required during open hours, from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Fridays.

Organizers are now screening key volunteers with background checks, a liability prevention required by the city. Next month, the group will begin setting up equipment. The structure of the building is suitable for a recreation center, but organizers plan to improve the appearance after the town government transfers to the Main Street location in December.

The opening is scheduled for April and will include a grand opening and open house weekend.

To request pickup of donations, call Nena Allevato at 301-293-9949.