Traces of the past: A look at the former Riverside Lanes and a bright new future ahead for Warren County's Youth with a tour of the Kinzua Youth Development Center
- Lisa Card
- Mar 13
- 5 min read
I along with many other locals have many great memories of the former Riverside Lanes. Riverside Lanes served the community of Warren from 1958 to 2023. In it's years the building had seen not only competitive bowling for youth and adults, but family fun and date nights for young couples on open bowling nights, and many birthday celebrations including my own son's many years ago. When Riverside Lanes closed its doors in 2023, many of us were concerned whether it would sit empty or how it would serve the Warren County Community. I am happy to share what I have learned after a tour with Executive Director of the Kinzua Youth Development Center, Asha Waterstreet!
As I walked through the front doors, my first instinct was to see what had changed from when I was last in the building to bowl with my family. While much as been updated and remodeled to serve as a place for youth wrestling and other activities, there were still hints of the past.
Asha was very informative and kind! She has many great plans for the Kinzua Youth Development Center. It's purpose doesn't include wrestling alone, but an array of activities for the youth of all of Warren County with many plans on the horizon. In 2021, some like minded citizens of Warren County came together with an idea of creating a space where all of Warren County's Youth could gather for fitness programs beginning with wrestling. A board was formed for the new Kinzua Wrestling Club with no association to the Warren Wrestling Boosters. This center would be free for the children to use and be funded by donations and grants. A board was formed and plans were made. Local citizens Glen Baldensburger and Lincoln Sokolsky purchased the Riverside Lanes building in 2024 and donated the building for the now Kinzua Youth Development Center. The program continued to raise money through a banner program for business sponsorships with bronze, silver, and gold level donations. The Warren County Community also showed what a great idea this Youth Center was by not only raising the most dollars for Warren Gives in 2024, but by having the most donors as well for Warren Gives 2024!
The board and volunteers had it's work cut out for them with transforming the 7,000 square foot old bowling alley into a large gym area, board room, office space, kitchen area, and updated bathrooms that would serve the facilities needs.
Many of us including myself remember the late and great Dean Johnson. Dean gave so very much of himself to the youth of Warren County, including my own son. Dean coached youth wrestling for many years and also served as a great Sunday School teacher just to name a few ways that Dean helped many local youth. He was loved by many and it is very fitting that there is a wall in the meeting room dedicated to Dean. I know that Dean would be truly humbled.
With Asha working as Executive Director and now a total of 16 board members, the Kinzua Youth Center will be able to reach more youth and begin a variety of programs. In addition to wrestling, programs such as dance, exercise, nutrition, indoor archery, and tutoring are few of the programs that Asha would like to implement. The possibilities are endless! A kids gardening program will be coming up in May. There is also a mention that transportation for the children may also be a possibility down the road. The Kinzua Youth Development Center also offers a GLOW program for girls to build confidence, physical strength, and girl power! Family Services may also offer a family movie night at the center in the near future. In such a short time, the Kinzua Youth Development Center is already spreading its wings and reaching out to all of Warren County's children! We have no doubt that with Asha at the helm, many great opportunities will be offered to our Youth! Asha Waterstreet herself moved to Warren County 3 years ago and loves it here! Asha relayed to me that the Warren Community has been very welcoming to her. She truly wants to give back to the community and is the perfect person to take the Kinzua Youth Development Center to new heights!
And as for hints of the many years that the building served the community as a bowling center, there are few giveaways if you look hard enough. A peek behind the front desk reveals a few objects left behind from the building's days as Riverside Bowling.
And what became of the hidden location where the bowling mechanisms worked to lift and set the pins? It is now a storage area. Police often do trainings at the KYDC and separate from the KYDC programing, Karate practice has also been held at the KDYC. There were a few bowling pins hiding in the dark!
All of the pins weren't hiding like Easter eggs inside the building, some could be found outside as well! Asha has some great ideas for how to repurpose these great relics of the past. We are certain that we will soon find out how she will turn this into a great project for our local youth!
Asha shared that there would soon me ADA lines in the parking lot as well as an access ramp added to the building. I would like to thank Asha for not only giving me a grand tour of the building but for passing on her enthusiasm for the great things to come for the Youth of Warren County at no charge to the families. Asha also shared that she is always looking for volunteers to come and share their knowledge of a skill with the kids. If you would like to help the Kinzua Youth Development Center in any way, please contact Asha at awaterstreet@kinzuaydc.com. To find out more about the Kinzua Youth Development Center, check out their website at www.kinzuawrestlingclub.com. Thank you, Asha for the wonderful tour and thank you to all involved in the building of this great program for all of our youth!
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