Sandpoint Teen Center eyes new location

By Reader Staff

The Sandpoint Teen Center is currently working on moving to a new location slated to open in fall 2023. The center is seeking volunteers and donations to help renovate the building to be ready for opening.

The new location is located at 1323 Michigan St. at the intersection with Division Avenue across from Sandpoint High School.

“We are working hard to renovate the facility to serve our area middle and high school students when school is out of session each weekday afternoon,” the center wrote in a press release. “The need for this facility is tremendous, as Sandpoint lacks any type of facility where teens can congregate after school in an environment where they receive meals, mentorship and movement through activities. Teen mentoring through the relationships our staff and volunteers build with our teens is important because studies say that it takes just one important relationship in a teen’s life to decrease their risk of suicide, addiction and school drop out.”

The Sandpoint Teen Center, which provides a safe and fun environment for Bonner County teens every day after school, announced an opportunity with the new building owner where volunteers provide much-needed renovations in exchange for reduced rent for five years.

The fundraising goal has been set at $100,000 for the necessary renovations in order for the facility to be ready to open in the fall.

“We are also tapping into our amazing network of local builders, electricians, plumbers and painters to help us complete the project,” the center stated.

Those interested in donating or reducing the cost of building materials can emailsandpointteencenter@yahoo. com; call Board President Joan Avery at 208-946-1087; send donations to Sandpoint Teen Center, PO Box 1066, Sandpoint, ID 83864; or visit sandpointeencenter.com.