On September 23, the Calhoun County community gathered to celebrate the completion of major renovations to the Calhoun County Youth Center, which was originally built in 1957. The project, completed in partnership with Veregy, transformed the facility into a safer, more restorative, and more functional space to serve the needs of youth in the community.
Watch the Youth Center Transformation Time-Lapse Video
Project Highlights
- Expanded facility: Renovation and addition increased the building size from approximately 15,117 sq. ft. to nearly 29,941 sq. ft., creating more purposeful spaces for resident activities, family visits, and medical services.
- Increased capacity: Bed count grew from 42 to 52, allowing the County to better meet current and future capacity needs.
- Modernized design: All resident activities on the main level eliminate the need for stairs for youth movement, while podular residential areas provide designated cohort spaces and minimize unnecessary movement around the facility.
- Improved safety and visibility: Thoughtful design enhances sightlines from master control on the main level, and upgraded security cameras and communication systems give staff the resources they need.
- Enhanced environment: Natural light and virtual skylights make the space more calming and supportive of rehabilitation.
- Upgraded systems: Replacement of mechanical, electrical, and communication systems ensures long-term reliability and improved daily operations.
- Sustainability focus: LED lighting upgrades and the new 70 kW ground-mounted solar array reduce environmental impact, modernize the facility, and offset utility costs.
“For many years, we faced challenges with an outdated space. Youth had to be escorted between floors and classes, counseling, or recreation. Rooms were often used for multiple purposes…Those limitations made our work harder and didn’t reflect the care and attention that our youth deserve. Now, with these renovations, everything has changed. We have dedicated spaces for learning, recreation, medical needs, and family visits. Security and communications systems are modernized, giving staff the tools they need to keep everyone safe…Above all, the atmosphere of this building has shifted. It is brighter, calmer, and more welcoming, an environment where positive change feels possible.”
– Tori Bendan, Calhoun County Youth Center Director
“The Youth Center was obsolete, non-functional, and had things literally falling apart at 70 years of age. This environment gave the kids inside the home the impression that they were in a dark and gloomy place, and no one cared about them…This new place of rehabilitation will give many of these kids the type of start they deserve to change their lives and become contributing members of society! Everything is new. They no longer have to go down to the dungeon for school in the basement with no natural light. They have spacious new classrooms at ground level with all the tools they need to have a great learning environment. They have adequate light from outside in every section of the building…Now, they each have their own areas to eat, study, learn, and grow. ”
– Dick Williams, Veregy Government Market Leader
In addition to the Youth Center Renovation, Calhoun County partnered with Veregy to implement energy conservation measures at other county facilities, including the installation of additional solar arrays, LED lighting upgrades, building automation integrations, and Veregy’s LightLevel platform for solar asset management. The entire project is guaranteed to save the County $142,350 in energy and operational costs annually.
