Alexandra Gagnon Teen Center Opens This Weekend

In 1998, a beautiful young woman named Alexandra Gangnon, who loved the Island more than anything, died because of a deadly addiction. This weekend, a Teen Center will open in her memory to serve as a place for Island teens to have fun in a safe and loving environment.

The Alexandra Gagnon Teen Center operated for about five years out of Cottagers Corner in Oak Bluffs and then moved to the basement of the YMCA facility when it opened in 2010. Last December, the YMCA broke ground for the two-level Teen Center addition and this Saturday, the doors of the center will open for the first time.

The Alexandra MM Gagnon Foundation is a private, Island-based foundation that supports the programs for the treatment and prevention of substance abuse. They also support programs to encourage young people to meet and overcome challenges and build character and self-esteem. The Foundation donated more than $1.2 million to support the teen center's construction and operating funds.

Emily Galligan, Director of Marketing and Public Relations for the YMCA said that the new Teen Center “Is a great space that provides fun and safe activities for kids where they can engage in healthy, positive interactions with their peers.” A Teen Advisory Council assisted in creating the center. “They talked about the space and what it could be used for and came up with ideas for programming,” said Galligan.

The new building is approximately 5000 square feet. The basement features a performing art center with a stage, professional lighting, a DJ booth, a recording studio and a dance floor. Upstairs is a multi-use space with a kitchen that will be, “Used to bring back the free Friday feasts." There is also a gaming area, a pool table and two vintage pinball machines.

This Saturday there will be an open house between 3 pm - 5 pm where the public is invited to come by and check out the new facility. The YMCA invite reads, “Take a tour of the facility, meet those who worked to make it happen, and enjoy some pizza from the Y Cafe. This is a dream come true for the Island, and we couldn’t have done it without you. Don't miss this historical moment!” There is also has a registry with items that it needs. These range from backgammon boards to batteries to plasma screen televisions. Galligan did note that anyone who purchases an item from the registry should, “Call or email Tony Lombardi, Teen Center Director, and let him know since the item will not be automatically taken off the registry list.”

The first official teen event has not been finalized, but Galligan said they’re thinking about doing something for New Year’s Eve. She also said that the center would be used for non-teen, community events during off-hours. And while the membership structure has not yet been figured out completely, “The idea is that it will be open to all teens. There will be some sort of membership policy, but it will affordable and open to everyone.”