OKC City Council greenlights four sites for new metro youth centers for underserved communities

Four locations for new youth centers across the metro have the blessing of the OKC City Council. Council members approved four sites where these facilities will stand. 

Serving low-income communities 

These buildings will go in low-income communities with an immediate need for afterschool programs. MAPS 4 director David Todd said the goal is to give places to children of all ages where they are always welcome. 

“This is another one of those rewarding things about MAPS 4,” Todd said. “Keep [children] busy and provide those opportunities that they need.” 

Census data places Oklahoma as the sixth poorest state and Todd said children need places that build them up. The city plans to build four youth centers operated by the Boys and Girls Clubs of Oklahoma County. 

“Boys and Girls Club does a great job with what they do,” Todd said. 

Oklahoma City Youth Center Locations 

The start is Woodson Park on South May Avenue and another on South Santa Fe Avenue just north of Webster Middle School. Another site involves a current Boys and Girls Clubs facility off Northeast 36th Street and one more near Melrose Park on the city’s westside. 

Planners mapped the highest poverty and crime rates to place the centers where they are needed most. On Tuesday, the OKC City Council greenlighted all four locations. MAPS 4 will use $118 million to pay for the centers. 

Unique programming to serve children of different interests 

“These youth centers won’t be like what you’re used to seeing,” Todd said. 

Todd said these centers are meant to be unique. They offer additional programming outside of the traditional physical activities and sports programs. They are meant to make kids feel at home and cater to children who want to get involved in a variety of activities. 

“Could be music- could be stem-type projects,” Todd said. “Even just providing mentoring spaces and a place to do homework. One of the biggest parts of some of this is just providing meals.” 

Todd said MAPS 4 provides foundational opportunities for the Boys and Girls Clubs and builds brighter futures from the ground up. 

“Give them the opportunity to do more of what they do,” Todd said. “I hope that we can help some kids.” 

What’s next? 

The first center will be designed by Bockus Payne Associates. Construction on the first center will start early next year and take all of 2026 to complete. Todd said it would take four to five years to finish all four centers.