I wouldn't even want to venture a guess on how many times I've heard the phrase, "There's nothing for teens to do in this town." As far as that goes, I've said it myself a few times over the years, going back to when I was a teen, somewhere back in the Jurassic. For that matter, the topic has been discussed in this column from time to time. And, with good reason -- for the most part, it's been correct.

The last time the topic came up in this column was in reference to  "Project Good Start".  In response to some comments made  at a Council meeting a year or so ago, I pointed out that there have been many attempts to create a "teen center" around this town. While some have met with moderate degrees of success, in the end all have been failures.

Fail once, twice, even three times, and it can be for various good reasons. To fail as often as the idea has over the decades leads me to believe that there is something wrong with the concept.

In that column a year or so ago I pointed out that the right way to go about the problem was to reinvent the wheel: specifically, to reinvent something like the old teen hangouts like Pete's Place, that even predate me -- ice cream, jukebox, not much in the way of program and an easy-going adult hanging around to make sure that things don't get too far out of hand. The bottom line was that it would have to be at least intended to be a profit making venture.

Up to a point reinventing the wheel would have been a good idea, but there are changes in society that have taken place since the last time the doors were open at Eddie's Swing Bowl.

I give this amount of background because people are now taking a swing at the idea of a modern place intended to be a place where kids can hang out. I'm not much of a computer gamer, but I know these things are popular as all get-out -- and Rellik Games seems to be taking a swing at capturing some of that market.

However, I really think that the opening last week of DZ Laser Tag in the old Metalloy technical building offers a much-needed option for kids and young adults to have something to do. It's a little hard to explain what's happening -- think of it as laser paintball in the dark -- but even with that there are several other pieces in place.

What's more, owners Rob and Heather Hall aren't stopping there. For years  a movie theatre has been on the wish lists of a lot of people. It hasn't happened since it has been perceived to be a marginal proposition at best. But, Rob and Heather doubt the conventional wisdom enough to challenge it -- not once, but twice, since they're opening a two-screen cinema there later this year.

I really hope it works out for them. They're sticking their necks out more than most of us perceive on the belief that there is a market there. If they are right, things are going to be different around the town for teens looking for a place to take a date.
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