IRVINE : Woodbridge Youth Plans Get City Funds

The city has agreed to fund several youth activities sponsored by the Woodbridge Village Assn. even though the programs will be open only to Woodbridge residents and their invited guests.

The City Council made the decision last week after the city attorney concluded that Irvine’s charter does not prohibit the city from funding programs for private groups.

The association was one of several organizations that applied for grants to provide after-school activities for teen-agers. The city set aside $85,000 this year to improve youth service in an effort to reduce teen violence in Irvine.

The association sought $4,170 to sponsor a haunted house and several “splash nights,” in which youths listen to music and hang out at a pool after dark.

Both activities would take place on Woodbridge Village Assn. grounds, and village officials said they are prohibited for legal and liability reasons from opening such programs up to the general public.

Woodbridge residents can attend the events and invite several guests from outside the village, said Robert N. Figeira, executive director of the association.

Some council members expressed wariness at funding programs that are not open to the general public. But they agreed that the haunted house and splash nights are successful community activities and should be supported.

Mayor Michael Ward said the splash nights are especially worthy events because they give teen-agers a chance to have fun without parents hovering around them.

Councilwoman Paula Werner urged other village associations to develop similar activities for youths.

Woodbridge, known for its picturesque lakes, is one of Irvine’s oldest and largest villages. It has more than 25,000 residents. Irvine’s total population is about 110,000.