But staff members at the Southwest YMCA are hoping to change that with the help of some young and creative designers who know a thing or two about building a recreation center from the ground up.

Approximately 12 weeks ago six students from Castro Middle School in San Jose were given what then seemed to be an overwhelming project as part of an assignment for Citizen Schools, a leadership development program designed by the YMCA to give students hands-on experience in creating products such as robots and CDs. This group of students had to design the layout for the new teen center scheduled to be built at the Southwest YMCA on Quito Road sometime in 2004.

What started out as lively discussions among the team of three boys and three girls, each contributing whimsical ideas that included a fish-tank floor, a waterfall and a swimming pool, turned into realistic and practical solutions with expert advice from the center's director of teen programs, Craig Barens, and architectural consultants Sherri Register and Steve Poleyn.

On May 14, these young leaders took their design proposals to the next level; they presented their ideas to the Southwest YMCA staff and board members, who will use these ideas as the basis for the future teen center, which will be constructed where the administrative office is now located at the east side of the building.

The layout included a kitchen area with an island in the center, a DJ booth showcasing a variety of technological gadgets and computers with video and audio production software, a stage to accommodate open mic nights, and a circular stairway leading to nowhere. It also featured hanging and beanbag chairs, bubble-shaped windows and ceilings with cloud-inspired paintings.

Team member Sali Aldabbagh said that the crew had to think about the needs and interests of the community to determine the appropriate features for the facility.

"We had to be realistic," she said. "We also learned how to prioritize these needs."

But what the recreation center needs first and foremost is a place where teens can meet and participate in asset-building programs.

"The teen center would add value to the community," said Abby Benedetto, who is the program director for Citizen Schools. "There are not a lot of attractive options where kids can hang out other than the malls or theaters. The teen center would give these kids a safe place to go and meet others their age."

In addition, Maria Drake, the executive director for the Southwest YMCA, said that "teen programs on-site are few and far between."

According to Drake, approximately 40 percent of those who attend the center are family members with children and 24 percent of youths in Saratoga participate in youth and teen programs. Due to limited space and resources, Drake said, most youths leave the center when they reach their teen years.

"Our mission is to build strong kids, strong families and strong communities," said Drake. "We can't leave the teenagers out. There are studies that prove the advantages of teens having asset-building programs."

These advantages Drake referred to include building self-esteem, developing leadership skills and gaining confidence.

Barens added that not only would the teen center help to "bridge the gap between the senior and youth communities" and serve as a connection point where teens can meet others from neighboring cities, it would also keep youths on the positive side.

"The more help we have from the community in raising these kids, the more they'll have to be successful in the future," he said.

Citizen School is open to all youths in grades six to eight. Benedetto will be coordinating another intensive two-week program in the summer starting on June 16. Students will be engaging in a variety of activities, from producing videos to learning cultural dances. They will also learn basic backpacking skills.

For more information about the program, contact Benedetto at 408.608.6821.