A theater of possibilities

If we take a peek into our past and look at options available in it for kids in the Coulee area, we see many things to keep them busy. At one time there were two theaters showing current flicks of the time. There were dances every weekend in different locations. School functions, church functions, community events and traveling enterprises kept our kids constantly entertained, and the great outdoors held many other adventures.

Fast forward to when I was a youngster. The Village Cinema in Coulee Dam was the place to be. But not the only place; The Fun Factory, Rapid Roberts, B&B and many community-organized events kept the kids involved and entertained. Yes, the great outdoors was still there. Swimming, fishing, hiking and hunting was a thing my peers and i were constantly involved in. Not to mention Little League, Youth Soccer and Pee Wee Basketball. I remember a circus coming every year as well.

But here we are, in our current time; and what do we offer to our youth? Yes, we are competing with electronics, Netflix, social media and a wide variety of other time-zapping items, but where is the physical stuff? Our theater is shut down now due to costly upgrades; not one thing in the community is focused on the kids besides our two events: Colorama and Koulee Kids Fest. And Colorama now has a beer garden to appease the adults? There are other smaller things that happen from time to time, but are we cheating our kids?

I am going to be bold and say this right here: We need to open that theater back up. We need to find a way to fund it and get it operational. We also need that pool back. Same opinion: We need to fund it and get it going. We also need to have some kid-friendly businesses in town. Give them their own space.

Not long ago, there was a headline in this paper that read about the suicide problem in our area. Are we offering an alternative? A place for our kids to just be kids? Or are we leaving them no options but to be reckless and pursue thrills in other avenues? I am not saying that a movie theater or pool would eliminate depression or addiction. I am asking this: Are we giving kids options other than influences from social media, boredom and unengaged activity? Are we doing things outside ourselves? Are we pushing community leaders to invite and encourage youth-friendly business? To do more activities area-wide that incorporate youth, specifically high school kids?

If our past tells us anything, it is that there was plenty for kids and young adults to do other than live in the fast lane. It is time for this community to take a stand and come together for our kids. Let’s put our heads together and get our movie theater back. We can do this. I’m Jess saying.