The Center
“…the Center will make an excellent and much needed addition to the Cape.”
The Honorable Edward M. Kennedy, United States Senator
The planned Hyannis Youth and Community Center, located at the intersection of Bearse’s Way, Bassett Lane and High School Road in Hyannis (Cape Cod), Massachusetts, at the current site of the Kennedy Memorial Skating Rink will include a youth center, two gymnasium and two ice rinks.
- Site Plan for The Hyannis Youth & Community Center
- Lower Level Floor Plan for The Hyannis Youth & Community Center
- Upper Level Floor Plan for The Hyannis Youth & Community Center
As partnership between the Town of Barnstable and the Hyannis Youth and Community Center Foundation, the facility is beginning it’s design phase with construction slated to begin in 2007. It is anticipated that the Center will open in the last quarter of 2008. Kennedy Rink is expected to remain open until the new facility is completed.
Need and Commitment
Sports and recreational activities play an important role in the development of children and young adults in all villages of the Town of Barnstable. Participation often begins during the pre-school years and continues throughout their lives. Despite the importance of athletics, the arts, and other leisure time pursuits, there is a severe shortage of gymnasium space, ice skating time, recreational and educational venues. There is no adequate facility where kids can “hang out.”
The situation has worsened in recent years as our school age population has grown dramatically, while recreational facilities have not. The planned Hyannis Youth & Community Center is a commitment by the Town and the entire community to the well being of today’s and tomorrow’s youth.
Existing sports, recreational, and educational facilities are inadequate to provide the programs and activities needed by the community. In May 2000, Ice Management Group and Saltonstall Architects completed a study for the Barnstable Youth Hockey Association that clearly indicated the need for a new, all-inclusive facility.
Youth Center
The former Youth Center on South Street was inconveniently located, featured only one large function room, and was in dire need of refurbishment. Usage was very limited because of the inadequacies of the facility
Gymnasiums
All school gymnasiums are booked solid, with demand far outstripping supply.
Lt. Joseph P. Kennedy Memorial Skating Rink
Opened in 1957, the Kennedy Rink needs major structural and refurbishment work. The single unenclosed ice surface can only be open six months a year. The rink satisfies less than half of the documented needs of the skating community.
The Schools
There is not enough space in the existing schools to accommodate the demand for specialized programs such as art & craft classes, theater, music lessons, individual tutoring, daily living skills instruction, special education outings, and other community needs.
The New Facility
The Hyannis Youth & Community Center is planned to replace the existing Kennedy Memorial Skating Rink adjacent to the Hyannis East Elementary School.
The facility will be a mere two blocks from Main Street and will form the core of a sports and recreation “campus”, which includes athletic fields and a skate park. The Center is designed to accommodate a varied constituency. The design is driven by youth activities, but anticipates quality pre-school, adult and senior services.
Programs
Programs will address the needs of the youth of every village in Barnstable while offering activities for people of diverse interests and all ages. Programs are planned for tots, pre-schoolers, youth, adults, and seniors. Basketball, skating, fitness, volleyball, hockey and dance, are among the recreational offerings. Art classes, music lessons, theater and computer seminars are all contemplated. The school system plans on using the youth center for tutoring, student outings, instruction in daily living skills and special education training. Additionally, on-the-job training in many functional areas, such as food service, maintenance, and marketing may be offered to students and youth in school to work transition.
The convenient location of the Hyannis Youth & Community Center, the variety of programs and activities, and the reasonable fees will insure the facility will be fully utilized.