Boys & Girls Club of Brookings’ 15,000-square-foot Teen Center opened in May 2015. This $2.2 million renovation of the former Peace Lutheran facility sits just across 12th Street South from the Club. Today, it’s home to more than 200 teen members, with 70–80 walking through the doors each day.

What makes this space special is that it was designed with direct input from teens themselves. Inside, you’ll find places to connect and unwind; a gym, a gaming area with pool and ping-pong tables, and even a dedicated STEAM lab (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math) where teens can learn, discover, and invent.

Beyond fun and learning, the Teen Center offers workforce development programs in partnership with local businesses, helping prepare young people for future careers while encouraging them to build their lives right here in Brookings.

They may not have gotten the swimming pool or bowling alley they first suggested, but teens now enjoy a space that’s truly theirs, complete with study areas, offices, snack bars, a gym, and an outdoor basketball court.