Groundbreaking Ceremony Highlights Community Support for Youth Center

Gary Sipes was a young boy, about 11 or 12, during the summer of 1969. On a warm day, he chose to join a procession in his Aurora neighborhood. Members of St. Olaf Church were walking from Benton Street in Aurora to the site of their new church on Douglas Avenue in Montgomery. Back then, that location was surrounded by cornfields.

Last Wednesday morning, Sipes returned to the site for another groundbreaking event. This time, the occasion marked the beginning of a new Youth Center for Wayside Cross Ministries. The center will be built on four acres bought from the church. Sipes is now a neighbor, which is significant because gaining support from nearby residents was a tough challenge for Wayside when the nonprofit approached Montgomery with this project last year.

Understanding community apprehension, Sipes remarked, “If we do what we are supposed to do, we are here to help these kids.” Those sentiments were echoed by around 125 attendees at the recent ceremony.

Montgomery Village President Matt Brolley addressed the neighborhood concerns. He supported the project after visiting the Wayside Cross main campus in downtown Aurora. He noted the significant demand for services that transcends municipal boundaries. He described the center’s location, alongside the church, Fox Valley Park District fields, and Krug Elementary School, as ideal.

Brolley expressed his enthusiasm, saying, “I am very excited, to be just a little part of this.”

Vicki Morkos, president and CEO of the Dunham Foundation, echoed support for the initiative. Her organization’s long-standing partnership with Wayside Cross is rooted in the foundation’s mission to improve living conditions. The foundation backs Wayside’s adult facilities and programs, as well as its Lifespring Center for women and children. Morkos emphasized their “deep trust and confidence” in Wayside, prompting their involvement in this project.

For approximately 15 years, Wayside Cross has utilized St. Olaf for its kids’ after-school and summer programs. The idea to establish a dedicated building has been under discussion for some time. The dream transformed into reality when Wayside Executive Director James Lukose saw the large open area near the church.

The planned youth center, spanning about 10,000 square feet, is set to be completed by next summer. Sequoia General Contracting will construct classrooms, a multi-purpose room, gymnasium, and kitchen. Future sports fields are also envisioned. The center aims to offer tutoring, educational activities, youth leadership programs, and recreational activities. St. Olaf interim Pastor Dan Haas shared that these offerings align with the church’s mission.

Sequoia President David Blasi encouraged everyone present, saying, “Today we start to make the vision a reality. Let’s pick up our hard hats and shovels and get to work.” The event concluded with applause, marking a promising step for the community.