OWEGO, N.Y. (WIVT/WBGH) – Teenagers in the Owego area have a new place to gather after school thanks to the generosity of the local community.
The Tioga County Boys and Girls Club cut the ribbon on its new 1,000 square foot addition that holds its new teen center.
The room contains a number of video gaming setups featuring a variety of the latest games. Plus, there’s pool, ping-pong, air hockey and darts.
There’s also a table for meetings and video conferencing equipment so that the club can provide the teens with information on career options, financial literacy and other important knowledge.
Teens will still have access to the gym and fitness room.
Executive Director and CEO Jill Teeter came to the Boys and Girls Club as a kid.
She says today’s teens face even greater challenges from social media and other pressures and need a space of their own.
“We really want them to help drive programming. We can give them a list of what we can do, if they come up with something and maybe we don’t know how to do it, we’ll figure it out, we’ll find it for them,” said Teeter.
Teeter says the space is currently referred to simply as “The Club” but that the teens are going to establish a board of directors and decide on a permanent name.
When ground was broken in May of last year , the estimated cost was $227,000 but, in the end, Teeter says it was closer to $400,00.
Local businessman Adam Weitsman originally pledged $100,000 but ended up giving more than $300,000.
His grandfather Ben Weitsman founded the club, and Adam went there nearly every day after school while growing up in Owego.
“This project is really about a lot of local people getting together and making this happen for the kids of our area. The kids now have a safe, really fun place to go, that’s what’s really important to me,” said Weitsman.
Other funding for the project came from a variety of local foundations and other businesses.
Teeter says she can’t wait to see the reaction from the club members when they first see the finished room.
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