A new facility with resources for youth has opened its doors in DeKalb.
The Teen Tech Center was unveiled on Feb. 19 by DeKalb County Recreations, Parks and Cultural Affairs (DCRPCA) along with several DeKalb County district officials who gathered at Hamilton Recreation Center, 3272 Chapel St., Scottdale.
DCRPCA officials state that this innovative learning space is designed to empower teens by providing access to technology, digital learning, and creative opportunities that will prepare them for future academics and career success.
“This is the start of an investment in our young people, and to ensure that they have the tools, resources, and support that they need in order to be able to evolve within this rapidly evolving world,” stated Christopher Bass, director of DCRPCA. “We know that parks and recreation is no longer just about fields and playgrounds, they’re about people, potential, and pathways.”
At the Teen Tech Center, teens will be able to dive into programming through coding, 3D printing, music production, podcasting, and creative digital media projects. The center features multiple rooms with the largest room containing multiple computers, tablets, TVs, a 3D printer, and a Nintendo Switch. The two smaller rooms featured a podcasting setup and a music studio.
“Everybody wants to be a professional athlete, there’s only a few hundred of them, we can’t all be pro-athletes,” stated Calvin Espy, a retired engineer who helped with the development of the center. “But there are millions of engineers and computer scientists and hopefully we can inspire teens to follow that path.”
According to DCRPCA, a total of $200,000 was allocated through the DeKalb County Capital Improvement Program, which is a long-range plan that identifies the facility needs of the district and outlines specific goals related to design and construction of improvements to local facilities.
“We’ve been working on this project for a while and this is the end of a long journey, but it’s just the start of another” stated Terrence Ramsey, division manager of recreation at DCRPCA.
All teenagers are welcome to use the center Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. According to DCRPCA, a sign-in sheet will be available for individuals to sign in order to access the center during operating hours.
