PROVO, Utah – People in south Provo will soon have a new place to gather as families and a community; a new community center is opening its doors' next week.
The South Franklin Community Center has been three years in the making, and officials said it will serve as an anchor for social services, education programs and neighborhood activities in the South Franklin neighborhood of Provo.
Bill Hulterstrom, President and CEO of United Way of Utah County, said the center’s location was chosen for a reason.
“This is a location where many in this area do not have access to vehicles, this is a place where they can walk to and get assistance,” he said.
Hulterstrom said there will be a wide variety of offerings at the center.
"We have volunteers that teach piano lessons, violin lessons, literacy programs,” he said.
The center's opening is a collaboration between the United Way of Utah County, the city of Provo and Habitat for Humanity.
"This is an example of a unique partnership where people are really bringing their best together, done with very little financial resources and an awful lot of sweat equity,” Hulterstrom said.
Many of the programs provided by the community center are aimed at literacy, and Hulterstrom said many are taught by people who live in the area.
"Many of these programs will be led by the neighbors,” he said. “This is a neighborhood driven activity, not an outside in, it's an inside out approach."
More than 1,000 volunteers donated more than 3,500 man hours to complete the community center. For more information about the center, visit their website.
