Some Laurinburg officials say a proposed recreation program to keep youth out of trouble is too little and too late.

The Laurinburg City Council is expected to consider a funding request for Growing Young Minds or GYM at the council's meeting on Tuesday. Shannon Newton, director of the Scotland County Department of Parks and Recreation, will make the presentation.

The county Parks and Recreation Department is spearheading the concept that would include a combination of sports and mentoring for youth in the 4th through 6th grades.

Mayor Matthew Block, who expressed support for GYM, said that the council needs a more detailed description of the program.

Council members have complained that the proposal strays from the plan initially advocated by city officials.

The age range – students in 4th through 6th grades – was too young for Councilman Herbert Rainer. He said those in 7th through 12th grades have a greater need for such a program.

Councilman Kenton Spencer agreed.

"This is not what we thought," he said.

Mayor Pro Tem Tommy Parker questioned the Aug. 17 start date, saying that the summer break is the most important time for such a program.

Councilman Curtis Leak suggested the board pull any funding its promised to such a venture.

Block said the council's concerns are understandable.

"The current format, which has been thoughtfully developed by the Open Gyms Steering Committee, has taken a different format than what City Council originally conceived," Block said. "Council naturally wants to understand why the proposed GYM program looks like it does, which is more structured and educational and more directed to a younger age group than just the 'open gyms' concept that council originally had in mind."

GYM would follow the school system's 9-week schedule and be held on Tuesdays, Wednesday and Thursdays from 4 to 6 p.m. and Saturdays from 2 to 6 p.m.

Activities would include basketball, mentoring, various games, food and a 'rap' session. It would be held at the gym at I.E. Johnson School.

The open gym idea came from discussions among members of council at several meetings two years ago, Block said, with Leak and former-Councilman Rembert DeBerry recalling a similar program in their youth.

Since then, the city has been eyeing a partnership with local government agencies to try and open up gyms.

"Since the City does not have control over recreation or the gyms, the City was looking to partner with the county, who controls recreation, and the schools, who control the gyms," Block said. "The recently developed GYM program reflects a joint effort between the city, county and schools to get something along these lines started."

He hopes Newton's presentation will sway City Council to support the proposal.

"The GYM program is a starting point, and hopefully will continue to evolve into a program that Council feels meets more of the needs of the City's youth," Block said.