Lincolnway Hub youth center to reopen in New Lenox Township
BY SUSAN DEMAR LAFFERTY Sun-Times Media slafferty@southtownstar.com August 30, 2012 4:20PM
Dan Stinnett is the director of the Lincolnway Hub. | File photo
Updated: October 1, 2012 5:48PM
After being closed for nine months to comply with Will County zoning regulations, the Lincolnway Hub will have a grand reopening Sept. 14 in its recently upgraded location, 1303 S. Schoolhouse Road, in New Lenox Township.
Director Dan Stinnett will open the doors and invite the community in for a three-day open house from 3 to 6 p.m. Sept. 14 and 15 and from noon to 3 p.m. Sept. 16.
Several bands will take the stage from 7 to 11 p.m. Sept. 14, including Aaron McDonald, Steve Nowakowski, Jack Portillo, Programmable Animal and Little Red.
There is a $7 cover charge, but those arriving after the Lincoln-Way Central High School football game can get in for $2.
Performing from 7 to 11 p.m. Sept. 15, will be How and Why, On The Run, and more. Cover charge is $5.
The open house “will give people an opportunity to come and see us,” Stinnett said. “It’s about creating good will and awareness.”
Going forward, he hopes to gear Friday night programs to those 18 years and older, and make Saturday nights for high schoolers, he said.
He hopes to have more “junior high nights,” and occasionally host events for adults.
The Hub opened in summer 2008 as a community youth center for concerts, open mike nights, and video games — all designed to enhance the lives of young people in the area.
In April 2011, a local church filed a complaint with the Will County code enforcement department, which required Stinnett to get a special use permit to operate his center in an industrial park.
He closed The Hub in December to comply with county zoning requirements that included improvements to the septic system and handicapped accessibility, and installation of fire alarms, panic doors, handrails and guardrails.
In an effort to raise money, Stinnett is seeking a grant from Chase Bank, and is urging the community to support the effort by voting via the Hub’s Facebook page Sept. 6 through 19. Details on voting and upcoming concerts is at www.lwhub.org.
