SAUGUS — U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton, state Rep. Donald Wong, and local officials attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony of the Boys & Girls Club Teen Center, which is also called The Club, at the Square One Mall on Monday.
As the bag containing the large scissors that were used to cut the red ribbon in front of the teen center was unzipped, the energy was electric and excited chatter filled the air.
“I could not be more proud that today is the official ribbon-cutting at the Saugus club — our first expansion in over 10 years,” Director of Development Anthony Guardia said to the large crowd.
Guardia gave a shout-out to Adam Rodgers, the CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Stoneham and Wakefield, whose leadership he said was necessary for the opening of the center.
“When you see the kids actually in the space enjoying it… the whole vision becomes a reality,” Rodgers said after the event. “At the end of the day… we want to provide fun, exciting, enriching activities for the kids. We’re just really excited that it’s finally open.”
Aside from all of the provisions at the teen center, which include things like “League of Legends” in the esports arena and 3D printing and sculpting in the maker space, the most important thing offered is connection, Guardia said.
“The most important thing we do is our staff connects with young people about their mental health, about what’s going on in their lives, and makes sure they have the best outcomes possible,” he said.
Moulton stood before the crowd and gestured toward a group of teens present.
“You are the next generation, and we want to ensure your success… and happiness, too,” Moulton said. “I was very proud to be able to deliver almost a million dollars to this project to help make it possible. But, as you can see from everybody here today, this was a total team effort. It was a total team effort for Saugus, it’s a total team effort for kids.”
Moulton underscored the importance of the center in his speech. He said it does not have a residency requirement, meaning that teens in surrounding communities may also enjoy what it has to offer.
After the event, Moulton said that the center is “incredible.”
“This is why I do the job — to have an impact on the community,” he said.
Wong issued a citation from the state House of Representatives. He said the teen center will be a great thing for the town, calling it an “A+ for Saugus.”
Board of Selectmen Chairman Debra Panetta gave a speech, with Selectman Michael Serino standing by her side, in which she urged everyone to take a look inside the “magnificent” teen center.
“We’re just thrilled that we’re going to be part of this, and we’re going to be collaborating and work together in partnership for all of you, your success, and your happiness,” Panetta told the crowd.
American Construction Corporation, the company that built the center, was represented at the ceremony by Patrick Coburn, its chief operating officer.
“We are super excited to have been able to be a part of the large team that was able to bring this together,” Coburn said.
School Committee member Stephanie Mastrocola said that she was excited for the teen center’s opening.
“I was blown away,” she said. “Their passion behind those doors is exactly what Saugus needs.”
Mastrocola said that as a nurse, she has seen the mental-health crisis get “younger and younger.”
“Places like this save kids’ lives,” she said.
Town Meeting member Matthew Parlante described the center as an “opportunity” and a “possibility,” adding that teens can come and have exposure to new experiences that they might not have had otherwise.
“(There’s) something for a lot of the different likes of the youth today,” Parlante said.
The teen center will be open on Monday through Friday from 2 to 8 p.m., and on Saturday from noon until 6 p.m. Membership in the center will cost $12 a month, but will be free for the remainder of the summer.
