CIVIC CENTER HAS OPPORTUNITY TO DEFINE ITS MISSION, ROLE

A renewed effort to provide financial security for the Cape Girardeau Civic Center appears to be taking both an honest and cautious approach. The center's activities at its downtown location have all but stopped because of questions that resulted in a cutoff of United Way funding. Now the Area Wide United Way has granted some emergency relief to the Civic Center, but restoration of full funding is still a long way off.

Crucial to discussions about the future of the Civic Center is some effort to inform the community about the need for the Civic Center. What programs could it provide that aren't already being offered? This is the same questions that is central to current talks about establishing a YMCA in Cape Girardeau. It is one thing to involve a lot of good-intentioned folks in committee meetings. It is another to have those same folks focus on needs.

There appears to be plenty of room for more programs aimed at young people, even though a number of social and civic efforts are already in place. For example, the Salvation Army, another provider of youth programs in the downtown area, is in the process of restructuring its emphasis to benefit elementary and junior high youths, both in the areas of educational assistance and recreation. Capt. Robert Gauthier at the Salvation Army sees a need for more programs that would be complementary to those already offered or planned at the Sprigg Street community center operated by the Salvation Army.

In addition, there are many other programs in place that are offered by other churches, the city parks and recreation department and the school system. The city's new Community Centre near Kingshighway and Mount Auburn Road is nearing completion and will offer a variety of programs for young people. Capt. Gauthier at the Salvation Army welcomes these new programs, citing the large geographic size of the city and the need to have activities for youngsters that are easily accessible.

One of the first steps by the group trying to help the Civic Center -- a step that would go a long way in building community support -- would be to clearly identify the center's mission and objectives, and to explain how those efforts fit in with other programs available to youths.