Saugus gets a glimpse of the new Boys & Girls Club

SAUGUS – The Boys & Girls Club has expanded with its new teen center, called “The Club,” at Square One Mall.

The center is located in the former Payless ShoeSource space outside of Dick’s Sporting Goods in the mall and is aimed at children ages 11 to 18.

The Teen Center feels significantly larger than the previous tenant. It houses a music studio with a “whisper room,” a soundproof booth where children can record music, as well as a podcast studio, a makerspace for creating art in various media, and an e-sports arena with high-tech computers and equipment.

Development Director Anthony Guardia said he expects the space to be “fantastic” for young people, adding that all of the Teen Center team members are very excited.

Brandi Artez, director of social impact — Guardia said she also goes by the unofficial title of “Director of Awesome” — echoed similar sentiments, saying it was quite an undertaking to get the space in shape, but it “turned out beautiful.”

Artez said John Cordero, the local esports coordinator and former esports coach at Assumption College, was a “one-on-one hire” because of Cordero’s esports expertise and educational background. Artez said Cordero was able to develop a program for young people that teaches skills such as emotion regulation, teamwork and leadership through esports.

“A guy like John (Cordero) can build an emotional connection and mentor a young person,” Guardia said. “Those adult connections make the biggest difference in a young person’s life.”

Simon Property, which owns Square One Mall, has been “just amazing,” Guardia said, adding that the mall offers children the opportunity to share their makerspace creations at a kiosk.

“We are very excited about the opening of the new Boys & Girls Club Teen Center at Square One Mall. The organization exemplifies its commitment to creating a supportive environment,” said Michael Connell, General Manager of Square One Mall. “At Square One Mall, we are always looking for new ways to connect with our local organizations and support the surrounding communities we serve. We look forward to seeing the positive impact this facility will have on the lives of teens in the surrounding communities.”

Guardia said attendance at the youth center costs $10 a month and stressed that the children are safe during their stay there.

“There will be adults in every room, there will be activities in every room,” he said.

The e-sports arena is likely to be a big hit, Artez said, because it’s an activity many children are familiar with. She said children often start with familiar activities but eventually show interest in trying everything else the center has to offer.

Although the activities are fun for everyone involved, Guardia said the most important thing the Boys & Girls Club wants to accomplish is to help “expand the social safety net” in the communities the club serves.

Guardia said Artez has done a great job at the Stoneham and Wakefield youth centers connecting families and children with resources and services and connecting them with insurers like MassHealth and programs like SNAP.

The location within Square One Mall is unique, Guardia said, in that it allows for partnerships with stores within the mall, such as Old Navy, which said it would help children prepare for job training, for example.

This youth center is also unique because it is the only place that is open on weekends, said Artez.

“It’s so important to create this special space for teenagers,” Guardia said.

The Teen Center’s hours of operation will coincide with those of Square One Mall, with plans to later expand the hours of operation to coincide with the start of the school year.

Currently, children’s activities run Monday to Saturday from 2pm to 8pm, with children’s activities running all day on Saturday.

The Teen Center plans to hold an official opening ceremony sometime in late August or early September.