CAMDEN – The Teen Center, at 10 Knowlton Street, is changing hands again. According to an Aug. 13 announcement, the Penobscot Bay YMCA is selling the property to one of its current tenants, Atlantic Academy, Inc.

The sale is expected to take place in early September.

The Y has owned the property since 2010. 

The Y will maintain its Teen Center programs as a tenant in the same property for the 2020-2021 school year with Maine DECD COVID regulations in place. 

For the 2021 school year and beyond, the Y Teen Center will transition into MSAD 28’s administrative property next door at the Bus Barn, once it is vacated in September 2021. 

“Our YMCA is facing its most devastating financial challenge in our history,” said Melissa Bellew, President & CEO of the Y, in a news release.

“When the opportunity presented itself in August for our Y to sell this location to our educational tenant, Atlantic Academy, Inc., the Y knew this sale could stabilize our estimated $550,000 loss due to the COVID closure sustained from March 17 – June 12, 2020,” she said. “Moreover, this sale permits the Y to rent space from Atlantic Academy as needed during the upcoming school year. At this time, we are preparing a different Teen Center model in conjunction with both the school and Maine DECD rules.  We hope to reopen our new Teen Center model in early October. Our Y is delighted to continue our strong partnership with the Town of Camden, Atlantic Academy, and MSAD 28.”

“As a former Board Member of the Teen Center who joined the Y Board in 2010 and the mom of a child who spent every afternoon with her friends at the Teen Center during her middle school years, I have seen firsthand the positive impact this safe, welcoming, and fun environment has had on so many of our youth,” said Jill Delano, Y Board member and Camden resident. “The Y Board is committed to continuing to bring exciting programming to this age group and sees this transition as a fantastic opportunity to continue our critical work.”

Jed Schwalm, owner of Atlantic Academy, Inc., said: “Atlantic Academy is a therapeutic school for the region's at-risk youth, which has maintained a very positive rental relationship with the Penobscot Bay YMCA to use the Teen Center since 2017 for our school. Given the expansive need for Atlantic Academy's services, we are excited for the opportunity to take ownership of the Teen Center this September, and continue to offer the benefits of the property and surrounding Camden community to our students and staff who largely reside in the immediate midcoast region."

The Penobscot Bay YMCA is a cornerstone of the healthy community, fostering partnerships, providing programs and services and promoting youth development, healthy living and social responsibility to improve the quality of life for everyone. For more information on the Y, please email info@penbayymca.org.