Vineyard teens now have a space to call their own with the opening of the Alexandra Gagnon Teen Center at the YMCA Saturday afternoon. Community members young and old gathered for a grand opening of the space that has been years in the making.

A daily homework club, a DJ booth, sound mixing classes, recording booths, a performance stage with a full lighting board, a kitchen and weekly dinners and cooking classes with Island chefs are only a few of the programs and amenities the center will now offer.

The center is named after longtime Vineyard visitor Alexandra Gagnon, who died when she was 23 years old and spent much of her childhood at YMCAs. Her parents, Jacques and Marfi Gagnon, were on hand to help with the ribbon cutting.

Teen center director Tony Lombardi thanked the Gagnons for making a dream come true for the Island.

“You always hope you can live long enough to see your dreams come true,” he said. “I’m so grateful to share your daughter’s legacy with us. I promise you not a day will go by without your daughter being here.”

YMCA executive director Jill Robie hoped the space would become a second home to Island teens. “It’s important they feel a sense of ownership,” she said.