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5/8/2025 <br />3 <br />According to the US Census, 24% of St. Anthony's <br />population is under 18. What happens when <br />teenagers have nowhere to go? They cause trouble. <br />According to Columbia News, “Boredom is <br />associated with impulsivity and risky behavior, <br />including careless driving, compulsive gambling, <br />drug and alcohol abuse, reckless thrill-seeking and <br />other self-destructive behaviors.” (Columbia News, <br />2019) <br />The Evidence <br />https://www.census. <br />gov/quickfacts/fact/t <br />able/stanthonycitymi <br />nnesota/PST045224 <br />●A rec center in St. Anthony would give kids something to do <br />●A basketball gym that isn’t always booked would do well for the community <br />●Many of the kids in middle school have to go to Waite Park for open gyms that only happen certain <br />days a week. <br />●Of all the 8th graders we talked to none of them said they would not go to a rec center. <br />●A rec center could also include classrooms and places to study. Imagine you’re a middle schooler who <br />has a tough environment at home. A rec center with study rooms would provide relief from that stress <br />and a place where you could actually focus. All kids should have that chance. <br />●A rec center could also have a pool, this would be a great place for teens and adults to get exercise <br />and you could have a kitty pool where little kids could play. <br />Why Our Solution Works <br />25