Bourns Family Youth Innovation Center Receives 2021 Award of Excellence
Published: 2/25/2022
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Feb. 25, 2022
Contact:
Stephanie Gallegos
Marketing Supervisor
(951) 826-2015
BOURNS FAMILY YOUTH INNOVATION CENTER RECEIVES 2021 AWARD OF EXCELLENCE
RIVERSIDE, CA – The City of Riverside Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department is proud and honored to receive the 2021 California Park & Recreation Society (CPRS) Award of Excellence on behalf of the Bourns Family Youth Innovation Center. With assistance from the Arlington Business Partnership, City Council, local Riverside colleges, school districts and the Bourns Family, the City of Riverside PRCSD developed a new facility that would focus on S.T.E.M programming and offer cutting edge resources and technology to Riverside’s youth demographic. The new facility’s location provides access to programming opportunities in the immediate surrounding area insuring disadvantaged and underserved communities have the opportunity to utilize the tools and resources the Bourns Family Youth Innovation Center offers. The mission of the facility is to ensure lifelong success in a safe environment while fostering learning, creativity, and collaborative work.
Programming for the new facility was developed in conjunction with The Steering Committee comprised of local universities, tech non-profits and educators. City Council, The Steering Committee and PRCSD emphasized innovation, technology, and multi-media programs by providing the BFYIC with a cutting-edge technology department. This includes resources such as 3D printers, a live T.V. recording studio, sound recording studio, computer programing, robotics classes and more. The development of the BFYIC faced many unique challenges due to unforeseen setbacks as the facility was set to open in March 2020. However, because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the grand opening of the BFYIC was delayed to the following year. The City and its partners however, utilized the delay to further develop and shape the center’s programming, ensuring a smooth opening campaign.
Thanks to the diligent work of all entities involved, the City of Riverside PRCSD will receive statewide recognition for meeting the highest standards in achievement excellence for resourcefulness, execution, and accomplishment that’s in alignment with the parks and recreation mission. The department proudly represents the City of Riverside, and the partners who played a vital role in the development of the Bourns Family Youth Innovation Center.
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About Riverside
As the City of Arts & Innovation, Riverside, California is rich in history and culture, and is setting the pace in innovative practices for government, business and education. With a population of just over 300,000, Riverside is the largest city in the Inland Southern California region, the 12th largest city in California, and the 6th largest in Southern California. Riverside is home to four internationally recognized universities and colleges that support a growing college student population of nearly 50,000. Businesses and residents in Riverside benefit from city-owned electrical and water systems, high-speed fiber optic telecommunications, an easily-accessed freeway system, BNSF and UP rail access, and a large corporate jet and general aviation airport.
With standards of excellence in technology, workforce development, arts, innovation, education and social capital the City has been named America’s #2 Hot Spot for Tech (Forbes, 2013); #6 Happiest Place for Young Professionals (Forbes, 2013); #3 ‘Can Do’ Capital (Newsweek, 2011); and the 2012 Intelligent Community of the Year by the Intelligent Community Forum.
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