Bowden Youth Center Leaves Pettigrew Neighborhood After 19 Years

Sioux Falls

Kids who live in Pettigrew Heights now have to walk about a mile, then take a bus to get to the new after-school center.

Some students get a ride from their elementary school to the youth center, but they are chosen by school recommendation based on need. 

Volunteers Of America says their only option was moving locations. 

 But that's raising some concerns for caring neighbors.

"I've lived in this neighborhood for 32 years," Susan Randall, Pettigrew Neighborhood Association Secretary said. 

Susan Randall says a lot has changed in Pettigrew Heights over the years. 

"It was originally Irving school. When I first moved here, my kids went to Irving school," Randall said.

Since 1999, it's been the Bowden Youth Center. 

"It's a place that you could go as a walk-in. I think that's really important," Randall said. 

Walking distance from Lowell and Hawthorne Elementary schools, it filled an important need.

"It was in a good location for students who might need after school or summer services to be able to get to it," Randall said. 

Randall says Volunteers Of America-Dakotas provides more than just after school care. 

"The one really important service they provide is an evening meal, and then, bless them, for driving them home at that time," Randall said. 

Walk-ins aren't an option at the new location, around four miles away. 

"I'm concerned about them relocating to the 51st street location. It's mostly retail with some light industrial. It isn't anywhere close to residential, like the Bowden Youth Center is," Randall Said. 

Kids who still want to go to the Youth Center can come here to the Downtown Library and be bussed to the new 51st street location, but that means crossing busy Minnesota Avenue. It's almost a 30 minute walk from Lowell Elementary School. 

"I think there will be some challenges. Kids are going to have this feeling like they lost this thing they could rely on," Randall said. 

Volunteers of America-Dakotas says their best option was to set a pick-up at the library. It's a safe place where kids can stay warm while waiting for their ride. 

Randall also tells me though the Bowden Youth Center is closing, she's excited and relieved by the YMCA expanding their programming for kids...and hopes this will fill any gap created by the Bowden closing it's doors. 

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