GROUND BROKEN FOR NEW HOME — Representatives of the Weirton Christian Center, city officials, members of Memorial Baptist Church and other guests gathered Sunday for a ceremonial groundbreaking to mark the beginning of construction of the Christian Center’s new home on Ivy Street in Weirton. -- Craig Howell

Representatives of the Christian Center were joined by members of West Virginia Baptist Convention and local church members, city officials and other guests Sunday for the groundbreaking on Ivy Street. The center will be moving for its current downtown location to Ivy Street, on land located next to Memorial Baptist Church.

“This is a real vision to reality day for us,” Christian Center Executive Director Kim Weaver said, noting the project to build a new center has been ongoing for the last eight years.

Original plans had the center located next to its current site on Elm Street; however, Weaver explained conditions were not as favorable as they had hoped. Memorial Baptist Church stepped forward with a solution.

The new two-story building will be the home for the Weirton Christian Center’s free pre-school and after-school programs, as well as have areas for fitness, workshops and community events. There will be two computer labs and a USDA-approved kitchen.

WHAT IT WILL LOOK LIKE — This artist’s rendition shows what the exterior of the new Weirton Christian Center should look like once the project is complete. The center will be moving from its current location downtown to Ivy Street behind Memorial Baptist Church. -- Craig Howell

Close to 300 local youth, ages 3 to 18, currently are served through the programs offered at the center, including homework assistance, computer access, nutrition, recreation and fitness, literacy, music, dance and community service opportunities.

Among those on hand Sunday was long-time volunteer and donor Steve Psaros, who thanked Weaver for her persistence in getting a new building, and the efforts of all those who have contributed to the Christian Center over the years.

“It’s all about the kids,” Psaros said.

Michael Stephens, interim executive minister of the West Virginia Baptist Convention, reflected on the center’s 100 years, explaining its history in serving immigrants coming to Weirton and eventually shifting its focus toward programs for local youth.

“The building is only a tool,” Stephen said, noting the important thing is what the center provides to the children, and, through them, the legacy of the Weirton Christian Center will continue.

Mayor Harold Miller recalled the creed of the Jaycees which encourages faith in God and service to humanity. It is a similar goal spread by the Christian Center, he said.

“This community is loaded with great people,” Miller said, noting the center inspires today’s youth to find a way to serve the community in the future.

Weaver pledged, even with the move, the Weirton Christian Center would find a way to serve the city’s downtown, explaining there are still opportunities for programs to aid the community.

“We are still going to have some presence downtown,” Weaver said.

The new Weirton Christian Center facility is slated to be in full operation sometime in 2018.

(Howell can be contacted at chowell@weirtondailytimes.com, and followed via Twitter @CHowellWDT)