By Marty Trese, KnoxPages.com Editor
MOUNT VERNON – The armory at 1 Mansfield Avenue had stood vacant for years. Back in 1931 the building was dedicated as the State Armory, the new home of hospital company, 136, Ohio National Guard. In the 1970’s the upstairs gym was used for high school dances on the weekends. On Friday the ribbon was cut on the building which has been renovated to become The Escape Zone community center.
The Escape Zone is a Christ-centered, multidenominational organization that provdes a fun, friendly, safe environment for all youth. Those involved in the facility say the self-worth of youth, their quality of life, community involvement, moral values, and faith in Christ will be enriched through building relationships and participating in activities.
Terry Walter is the president of the Escape Zone. He told KnoxPages.com that the building has 13,000 square feet of recreational space for kids of all ages. They will be offering basketball, foosball, ping poing, Wii games and several other kinds of activities. The gym on the second floor has a stage area which was renovated by the current Leadership Knox class. Walter said, “We wouldn’t have pulled this off without funding and volunteers.” Walter says the next step is to hire a director and recruit volunteers to oversee the facility. The goal is to have the building open 7 days a week.
Ribbon cutting at the Escape Zone on Friday. L to R: Ryan Dillworth, Cong. Bob Gibbs office; Michelle Turner, Dean’s Jewelry; Terry Walter, Escape Zone board president, Mark Ramser, building owner; Jan Reynolds, Ariel Foundation Executive Director; Lisa Behr, Community Foundation of Mount Vernon and Knox County; Karen Bush, Secretary, Escape Zone board, Marc Odenweller, Community Foundation of Mount Vernon and Knox County, Carol Grubaugh, Executive Director Knox County Chamber of Commerce – photo courtesy Knox Chamber, Tina Cockrell.
The Escape Zone is a ministry started by people who saw a need for a safe, Christian place for the youth of Knox County to meet.
The Organizing Committee met from October, 1999 to June 2000. A building at 316 S. Main St. was rented on June 5th and the Grand Opening of the Escape Zone was in June, 2000.
The Escape Zone gym – KP Photo by Marty Trese
The building was renovated for the 15 year anniversary but within a year there was a thought to find a new location. After much searching and prayer they found themselves in the center circle of the gym on the 2nd floor of the Armory building asking for God’s direction. The plan was presented to the buiding owner, Mark Ramser, and he and several community foundations and individuals provided the funds for the renovation.
The facility is open to everyone. You can follow The Escape Zone on Facebook.
