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Council backs resolution supporting Marquette County West End Youth Center; no funding attached
Summary
The Ishpeming City Council unanimously approved Resolution 05-2025, a nonbinding statement of support for the Marquette County West End Youth Center; proponents said the center would offer safety, social and mental-health resources for young people.
The Ishpeming City Council voted to adopt Resolution 05-2025 expressing the city’s support for the proposed Marquette County West End Youth Center. The resolution, as presented to the council, pledges political support only and does not commit city funds.
Proponents addressed council during a lengthy public-comment period and a formal presentation. Speakers included steering-committee members, parents and students. Rose (last name not specified), one of the organizers and a long-time community volunteer, described the multi-year effort to establish a youth center modeled on community clubs and steering committees formed earlier in the effort; she highlighted mental-health concerns and local incidents involving young people that helped motivate the proposal.
A student representative described the center’s potential benefits in direct terms: greater access to structured activities, role models and mental-health resources. Speakers highlighted a steering committee that includes educators, mental-health professionals and community fundraisers and said the group is exploring fundraising and organizational models to create a sustainable, locally run facility.
Council members moved and seconded a motion to adopt Resolution 05-2025; the council recorded an aye vote and the motion passed. Several council members and staff emphasized the resolution contained no request for city money at this time and urged the steering committee to continue fundraising, seek grants and bring formal funding requests to the council if needed.
Council member Jason Chapman and others noted the Boys & Girls Club will be in Ishpeming on April 8 to explain what municipal partnership with a chartering nonprofit could look like, and Rose said an active youth advisory council has been formed to guide program design. Council members asked staff and proponents to continue work on a long-term plan and to return to council with specific funding requests and a timeline if and when they are ready.
