It's been almost four years since Bethel's ProAccess Teen Center had to vacate the former town hall building due to asbestos. But as of Wednesday, ProAccess now has a place to call home in the basement of the Clifford J. Hurgin Municipal Center, in a newly renovated space put together by numerous volunteers. 

At 5 p.m. yesterday, the ProAccess and town government communities came together to honor the volunteers who devoted their time over several months to complete the space, especially Selectman Richard Straiton, who First Selectman Matthew Knickerbocker called the "Volunteer in Chief."

 "This was truly a team effort, but we have to thank Rich," Knickerbocker said. "He came up with the idea and continually worked to move it forward."

From November to this spring, Straiton and others worked on cleaning and renovating the space almost every Wednesday night. It formally was used by Bethel's Visiting Nurses Association, which has since moved to Stony Hill Road.

"It's nice to see kids back in the building again, as this used to be Bethel's High School," Straiton said. "Welcome to your new home."

Hilda DeLucia became the director of Bethel's ProAccess Teen Center just a month before it had to leave the old town hall building. She said she was incredibly grateful to the volunteers and donors who helped put everything together.

"What I love is that it was good mix of adults and teens working together; it's a true reflection of the Bethel community," DeLucia said. "...It's all a testimony to the town that it was able to come together."

DeLucia also thanked Straiton for his dedication to the project. "He's been the backbone of making this happen...without [his] support, we wouldn't be here today," she said.  

The new location has its main entrance behind the municipal center and includes a large entrance room, a game room, kitchen, office and computer room. It also has a foosball table, air hockey table, pool table, 42 inch TV, couches, barstools and more. It will also serve as a meeting and activity space.  Much of the furniture, paint, windows and other items were donated by local businesses. 

DeLucia said it was particularly exciting that the Bethel Education Foundation donated the center's computers, as it was the first donation not made to a school by the organization. 

The community can continue to donate to ProAccess and can stop by to do so anytime. A $5 donation will earn the donor a hand print on one of the walls. The center also has a wish list including items such as kitchenware, chairs, tables, iPod speakers and an Xbox. 

While the space is technically temporary, the first selectman said ProAccess is welcome to stay as long as needed before a permanent space is found.

Knickerbocker said, "Whether the teen center is here for six months, a year or four years, as it expands and grows it will have a future permanent home."

If and when ProAccess leaves this space, it will then be used by Bethel's Senior Center.

DeLucia said she is working on setting up permanent hours for the center that will depend on the flow of use in the upcoming weeks. Some future events include a free lunch on the last day of school, a lockout and hang out sessions.

For more information on events and membership visit the ProAccess website at bethelproaccess.org or its Facebook page.