Youth Services

The Wm. “Bill” Austen Youth Center, located at 315 SW 2nd Avenue, opened in September 2003. The Center is operated by the Parks & Recreation Department in partnership with the Police Department. Membership at the Center currently exceeds 1,000 kids ages 8 to 18.

The Youth Center offers a constantly changing variety of activities and programs designed to help structure leisure time and promote self improvement.  The facility boasts a 22,000 sq ft Skate park, a 2000sq ft gym, outdoor racquetball and basketball courts, benches are located throughout the grounds for those just seeking to ‘hang out’ with friends.  Lawns provide space for ‘pick-up’ football, soccer and other team sports.   Friday nights Club MZ hosts dances for those over 13 with music provided by local DJs. 

Membership for the Youth Center is $ 30 per year and $ 40 per year for the Skatepark.  For more information contact the youth center at 242-3950 or stop by and check it out.

The Police Athletic League sponsors boxing and wrestling programs overseen by Police Officer Mike Anderson. Officer Anderson is a former Golden Gloves Champion.  Program participants train to compete in local and statewide tournaments. These programs target at-risk kids but are open to everyone.  You can catch Officer Anderson at the center Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and most Friday nights.  Wrestling basics are taught by a team of four experienced wrestling coaches.  Many of our participants go on to wrestle at the high school level.      

Participation requires a youth center membership and minimal registration fees.  Contact the youth center for additional information.

Activities at the Youth Center include teen dances, billiards, air hockey, video games, racquetball, basketball, computers, and more.

The Police Department sponsors the following activities at the Youth Center:

Boxing- Instructed by Cape Coral Police Officer Mike Anderson, a former Golden Gloves champion, boxing meets Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday evenings from 6:00 – 8:00. Students learn all aspects of the sport from basic fitness to footwork, sparring, and finally, competition.

Martial Arts- Instructed by Jack Lee Harrah, a black belt in karate and tae kwon do, martial arts meets on Wednesday evenings from 7:00 – 9:00. Students learn self-defense and discipline, focusing on both physical and mental skills.

Wrestling- A team of four experienced expert wrestling coaches teaches this activity on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday evenings from 5:00 – 7:00. Participants are taught the principles and techniques of this challenging sport.