Check out the off the hook programs at CLUB IMPACT!

725 N. El Dorado, Stockton, CA 95202

Hours: Monday-Saturday from 2:30 to 8 p.m.

NEW!! Membership: just $5 per year (a picture ID, school or state-issued, or birth certificate is required in order to obtain a membership card)

Staffed and operated by the http://stocktonkids.com/

Call 937-7170 for membership and program information

Stockton Parks and Recreation receives Achievement Award for the

Gary & Janice Podesto IMPACT Teen Center

Stockton Parks and Recreation received a 2005 Achievement Award from the California Parks & Recreation Society (CPRS) for the Gary & Janice Podesto IMPACT Teen Center, in the category of Facility Design and Park Planning. 

CPRS awards are presented annually to outstanding recreation projects within the State of California that promote participation in recreational experiences and health and wellness.  The award will be formally presented at the 2006 California and Pacific Southwest Recreation & Park Training Conference, held in Ontario, CA, March 16-18, 2006.

CPRS Executive Director Jane H. Adams states, “These agencies represent the finest in recreation programming, park and facility design, promotional materials, and provide families, individuals, and groups spaces to learn and play, create and imagine, and be safe and secure. CPRS ..(is)…proud to recognize the excellent parks, recreation facilities, and recreation programs and services that are provided to Californians.”

According to Parks Facilities Planner Victor Machado, the CPRS awards program is one of the highest levels of recognition Stockton Parks and Recreation can receive, and the department’s award is a credit to the teens that made the teen center project happen.

The Gary & Janice Podesto IMPACT Teen Center opened in April 2005, after being created out of the old El Dorado Bowl.  Designed by the local architectural firm of Lesovsky/Donaldson Architects, the facility was designed and planned with direct input from local teens.  The center promotes participation in recreational experiences and health and wellness through a variety of activities.  The center also provides for strengthening safety and security by providing after school activities for the City’s youth, keeping them out of harm's way and providing a safe recreational and learning environment.

CPRS presents annual awards in four categories: Recreation/Community Services Programming, Agency Showcase (for marketing materials and campaigns), Facility Design and Park Planning; and Park and Facility Maintenance. CPRS is a membership organization with 4,200 members and representing the 525 local parks and recreation agencies in the state. The mission of CPRS is to provide the leadership and resources to promote the role of parks & recreation in creating community through people, parks and programs. 

Teen Center History

The Stockton Youth Advisory Commission led a movement in 2000-2002 to find a city-wide venue for teens. As a result of their efforts, the former El Dorado Bowl located at 725 N. El Dorado, has been renovated into a state-of-the-art teen center.

The center features four bowling lanes, a half-court basketball area, stage, meeting rooms, game rooms, classrooms, a computer lab, snack bar, climbing wall and more.

The City of Stockton was awarded a $2.2 million grant in 2002 from the State of California's Murray-Hayden Urban Youth Services Grant Program to renovate the El Dorado Bowl. At right and below are some pictures of what the building looked like before and during demolition.

The building was originally an Art Deco style bowling alley. Due to additions and reconstruction much of the structure has been altered.

The glass block wall remains from the original structure.