Hyannis Youth & Community Center wows visitors at open house

Thousands crowd into new state of the state facility for a free bar-b-que

The new center attracted huge crowds Saturday as the line for a free hamburger and soda stretched around two sides of the building. Pat Brooks photos.

By Pat Brooks

Cape Codders from one end of the peninsula to the other showed up at at 11am Saturday to see the spectacular new Hyannis Youth & Community Center which replaced  the old Kennedy Skating rink in downtown Hyannis.The Hyannis Youth & Community Center Foundation was formed in 2003 as a private charitable foundation to raise funds for the $25 million center which opened this weekend.

And it wasn't all skating rinks and basketball courts. The center boasts a splendid new bistro created and run by Ardeo's Joe Jamiel.

The center's foundation raised nearly $6 million of the funds for the design and construction of this desperately needed youth and community center - with the town of Barnstable committing the balance.

The funding for this $24.7 million project comes from a variety of sources: $3.5 million from a grant from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, $1 million from the U. S. Department of Education, $1.34 million from private fundraising through the Hyannis Youth and Community Center Foundation ($1 million of which was from the Lyndon P. Lorusso Foundation). The balance of $18,863,283 is from the Town of Barnstable borrowing authorization and unexpended funds. The Center's goal is to be financially self-sufficient within the next 20 years.

All ages are welcome to join the HYCC from school-aged children on up. There is a $20 per year membership fee for admission to the facility for use of the walking track, Teen Center, computer room and open gym time. But no one will be turned away for inability to pay. Fior more details see our previous story here. Below kids were enjoying a free skate at one of the new rinks.