A Lake Wales church is putting the finishing touches on a new youth center.
The Bible Church of God is hoping the Youth Sports Academy will offer kids a safe, productive place to be off the streets.
"A positive environment where they can come and get some good life coaching," said pastor Bobby Banks.
The church is hoping kids spending time at the academy will stay out of trouble as they mature into adults.
"You've got some good kids, but sometimes they get in the wrong environment," Banks said.
The Youth Sports Academy is in a basic metal building and it will have basketball courts and classrooms where young people can get after school education help.
"ACT, SAT tutoring, FCAT tutoring, math and English. They are very successful in what they are doing," said youth pastor Jaremiah Anglin of the planned tutoring programs.
The academy will also offer job skills mentoring and will stress personal values.
The academy is costing the church about $500,000 and it should be open some time after the first of the year.