The first meeting to organize the Corbin Youth Council was held at the Wilbur Hotel on December 3, 1951. The meeting was directed by Princess McBurney, Cathrine Crawford, and Colonel Harlan Sanders. A Youth Center was organized and dedicated April 18, 1952. This was the first Youth Center in the State of Kentucky.

The Center was located at the old bowling alley on Depot Street. Princess McBurney was selected to be the director of the Youth Center. When the Youth Center was founded there was nothing for young people to do in the city of Corbin. The opening night of the Corbin Youth Center was a big occasion for the city of Corbin.

When ceremonies got under way many parents, youth, and community leaders an estimated 450 people in all, were on hand to witness the cutting of the ribbon and the events that followed. Speakers for the program included City Commissioner J.B. Sasser, Dr. Keith Smith, and Max B. Duncan. Commissioner J.B. Sasser cut the ribbon formally opening the Corbin Youth Center.

W.H. Fields served as Master of ceremonies, assisting him was Mrs. Ted Meadors, President of the Corbin Youth Council, Dr. Keith Smith gave a businessman's view of what this project would mean to the Youth Center. In addition to the main speakers, the young people presented a program of "skits". The Key Club Kombo which was made up of band members, singers, and dancers performed.

Praise for the Youth Center was given mainly to the civic organizations of the City of Corbin. Many representatives of various clubs and organizations, as well as students of the local schools were in attendance.

Civic minded people int he community saw a need for the young peopleto have a supervised recreation facility and gathering place. The Center was operated through donations of time and money from private citizens, civic clubs and fund-raising activities by young people. The young people of the community took great pride in their accomplishments and helped with repairs and clean-up of the facility.

In 1952, The Center moved to the corner of 5th Street and Main over the City Food Market. In 1957 the city officials gave the Youth Center a home over City Hall at Main and Gordon Streets.

The City of Corbin's first Parks and Recreation board was created by the city commissioners in 1961. It was at this time the decision was made to build a permanent facility and swimming pool for the Youth Center. The new home of the Youth Center would be Barbourville Street.

Progress in this direction was slow, but in 1964 the dream of many of the community leaders was realized when a new swimming pool and Youth Center was dedicated in ceremonies presided over by Mayor Ed. Peace. The pool was modern and beautiful, the recreation building was very up-to-date for a town the size of Corbin.

The City of Corbin financed the Recreation Center through contributions from the City Utilities Commission. Operation of the facilities was through the city recreation commission with John Bill Black as chairman. The city commission received the Recreation Center free of debt. No town the size of Corbin in the state of Kentucky had taken such positive steps to provide wholesome amusement for it's youth.

Princess McBurney retired in 1968 from directing the Center. At this time she was also working for National Standard Corp. McBurney felt that the Center needed a director who could devote all his or her time to the Center's operation.

After a 2 year peoiod without a director,  Eddie Amos Miller was named as director of the Youth Center. Mr. Miller served the Center for 26 Years before retiring in 1995. 

Upon Mr. Miller's retirement Phillip Russell was named Director of the Corbin Recreation Center. Mr. Russell left the position in 1999, and was replaced by, Marlon Sams who is the current Director.

Thousands of young people have passed through the doors of the Youth Center, now known as the Princess Vermillion McBurney Recreation Center.

It is the sincere hope of the community that this center will continue to provide quality, wholesome recreation for the community for many years to come.