EduRec Family Center A Dream Come True For North Tulsa Families

A Green Country group is proving that hard work pays off. So of Oklahoma's Own are making learning a lot more fun.

Inside the walls of the old Wiley Post elementary school, is a dream coming to life.

"I mean, wow, words cannot express, I'm so excited," said Pastor Melvin Cooper. 

The vision for the EduRec Youth and Family Fun Center came about five years ago, when WorldOne Ministries Pastor, Cooper wanted to create a safe and affordable place for families to have fun.

"Being that there's absolutely nothing out here for kids to do, this is like a Godsend. So I'll do everything I can and bend over backwards to help it," said parent Shalik Williams.

Volunteers, like Williams, have given their free time for the past month to help with the building's transformation. Familiar faces and inspirational messages are painted on the walls where lockers once stood.

"It's awesome, it's great. It's very cool. There's an arcade...with more than enough games to choose from. And a food court, where pizza will be served daily. But on Sundays it's soul food," said 13-year-old Angel Williams.

"It's gonna be exciting for the kids. They're gonna come in and they're gonna love it, just what we've been asking for," said parent, Lynetta Boyles.

"It gives kids something to do besides getting into trouble on the streets or just sitting at home, so it's good," said 16-year-old Bobbi Williams.

It's not just about recreation, though. It'll put an emphasis on education to prove hard work pays off, the center will give incentives, like free admission and free games, to students who do well in school. And while the center will serve primarily families in north Tulsa, Mayor, Dewey Bartlett, says it will be a benefit for the city as a whole.

"If we can get kids in a good environment, and they're learning something and they're doing good, constructive things, then that means they're not doing destructive things elsewhere," said Bartlett.

"I believe it's gonna help curtail crime and I believe we're gonna see people change," said Cooper.

EduRec's grand opening will be March 30. It will serve families Thursday through Sunday and will even have indoor putt-putt and bumper cars.