Adams Youth Center Needs Memorial Building To Expand

'Every inch' of the East Street Community Center is being used for youth programming. The Adams Youth Center hopes to move into the more spacious former Memorial Middle School.

ADAMS, Mass. — The Adams Youth Center is ready to expand its programming — but is dependent on the Memorial Building moving forward.

Executive Director Sonia DiSanti said the Youth Center's biggest need at this point is space. Over the past three years, the program has jumped from 25 kids to 270.

"We have really grown and we really need more space … for the programming that we have, want to see, and expand on," DiSanti said. "We are using the whole 20 East St. building at this point, every square inch."

Last week, the Selectmen decided to start the process of selling the 20 East St. property. Although the board agreed to make sure the Youth Center is not kicked out prematurely, DiSanti said it will have nowhere to go if it has to leave East Street.

"I don't know there is a space large enough for what we offer right now to accommodate us, but we have not had any offers," she said.

It was suggested at the last selectmen workshop that the Youth Center was offered a temporary area to run programs if its current home is sold. DiSanti said the former Memorial Middle School is the only option at this point.

"I think we do a good service for the town, for the families, and youth of this town, and I am still just hoping to have the support from the town," she said. "If someone does buy this building quickly … I hope the town continues to support us in this building until we do move to the middle school."

The Selectmen agreed to add a stipulation to the request for proposals that would allow the Youth Center an agreed on amount of time to vacate the the nearly century-old building.

Conversations on selling the property, once the known as the Bonnie Brae estate, began some two years ago when the town entered into negotiations with the Youth Center and a commercial enterprise to lease parts of the middle school. But issues with the building, given back to the town when the middle school was combined at Hoosac Valley High School, led to delays.

Since then, the roof has been repaired but the school building can only be used if the HVAC system is replaced. The Selectmen agreed to add the project into this year's Community Development Block Grant proposal. The town will know this summer if it received the funding.

DiSanti said the Youth Center is thankful for the town's attention to the project and officials are excited about the future.

"We have continued to work with the town through this long process and now we are pretty excited that the Selectmen did go forward with the HVAC system," she said. "The heating system was the next step so we are happy they approved it."

DiSanti said the Youth Center started looking for a new location three years ago and the Memorial Building would be a big step toward creating a true community center. She said the center would like to have space for a designated preschool area, teenager area, and classes for adults.

"I'd say by the increase in our numbers and the amount of families and kids that we serve, I would say it is very important to expand," she said. "I think with the visibility and the expansion of the program we would serve many more families, youth, and even some adults."

Over the years, the center has grown to include STEM programs, basketball, swimming and tennis. DiSanti said the Youth Center is always full and the staff is excited to make the program larger with the Memorial Building.

"That is our vision. That building fits that vision so we are pretty exited right now," she said. "It has been a long journey and it's not over by any means, but we are making some good progress forward."

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