For over a decade, the Gonzales Youth Council has advocated for a dedicated teen space and on Saturday, Jan. 10 it will become a reality: The City of Gonzales will open the first phase of the Dennis & Janice Caprara Community Center Complex.
“Gonzales didn’t have a lot of spaces where the public, much less youth, can gather and do homework and school projects,” City Manager Carmen Gil says, noting that many teens regularly meet at McDonald’s or Starbucks.
The first phase includes the teen center, a courtyard, an amphitheater and a new home for Monterey County Free Libraries’ Gonzales branch.
“The beauty of it is it’s adjacent to the library,” says Mayor Jose Rios, noting the teen center is also close to schools. Youth will have access to internet, printers and computers.
The space will also offer various youth development programming from organizations including Olinga Learning, a nonprofit that empowers youth in rural areas to improve their communities, and the Boys and Girls Clubs of Monterey County.
“It’s definitely going to transform the community,” Gil says. “It’s going to offer a safe space where they can drop in and engage in programs that weren’t available to them.”
The $28 million project was funded with various sources including the city’s Measure X; $5 million from the state; $1.8 million from the County of Monterey; and private donations. It was built on a city-owned property at Gavilan Court and Fifth Street, near Fairview Middle School.
Now that the first phase is completed, the city will focus on the second phase which includes a community hall, meeting rooms, fitness center and commercial kitchen.