POCATELLO, Idaho – Bannock County officials invite the community to celebrate the grand opening of a new multi-use facility that will provide critical resources for local youth and serve as the administrative hub for the Bannock County Event Center.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony and open house will be held on Wednesday, Nov. 19, at 3 p.m. to officially unveil the new Youth Development Center (YDC) and Bannock County Event Center office space.
The new building spans approximately 7,000 square feet and includes a classroom, serving kitchen, laundry room, conference room, offices, reception area, and lobby. The Board of County Commissioners allocated $2.6 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to construct this facility, investing in Bannock County’s youth and community infrastructure for generations to come.
Youth Development Center
Operated by Bannock County Juvenile Justice in partnership with the Pocatello-Chubbuck School District #25, the Youth Development Center is an intensive day treatment program designed to support teenagers at high risk of school expulsion or other serious outcomes. The program provides classroom education, behavioral intervention, and exposure to extracurricular activities — including vocational training and service-learning projects — to help students develop critical life skills and successfully complete their high school education.
The new space replaces the YDC’s former location in the old jail above the Elections Office, offering a safer, cleaner, and more positive environment for growth and development. In addition to the Youth Development Center, the new facility will include four full-time probation officers dedicated to providing monitoring and support for juveniles and families on specialized caseloads.
Bannock County Event Center Office
The new facility replaces a retrofitted 1950s single-bathroom home that previously served as temporary office space for Event Center staff. The new office will enhance staff’s ability to coordinate events and serve clients, providing a welcoming reception area and modern conference space for meeting with individuals and organizations interested in renting facilities.
