GONZALES — Years of planning and dreaming became a reality as the grand opening of Phase 1 of the Dennis and Janice Caprara Community Center Complex took place Saturday morning in Gonzales.
Phase 1 of the complex included the Taylor Farms Teen Innovation Center and Monterey County Free Libraries’ new Gonzales Library Branch location, along with the courtyard and amphitheater.
Jeffrey Alvarez, Gonzales High and Irvine graduate and founding Gonzales Youth Commissioner member, was very pleased with the completion of Phase 1.
“Seeing the center was deeply moving,” Alvarez said. “What began as an idea — youth having a voice — has now become a permanent space that will shape generations to come. It represents trust, vision and the belief that young people belong not just in the future, but in the present.”
Alvarez has remained involved in the project over the years in a personal capacity. He has a degree in urban planning and public policy and currently works in renewable energy development of large-scale solar and energy storage projects across multiple states and regions.
“This included being invited to interview contractors during the planning phase of the community center, offering youth-informed input and continuing to serve as a resource to the Gonzales Youth Council, whether through presentations, mentorship or support whenever needed,” Alvarez said.
Former Youth Council and Commissioner Cindy Aguilar-Castaneda had returned to Gonzales as an adviser and supported the recent youth councils in ensuring that they felt the center programming was reflective of youth needs.
Aguilar-Castaneda, a graduate of Gonzales High and UC Berkely, attended the Jan. 10 event with the folklorico dance group from Palenke Arts, where she is the director of program operations.
“I feel very hopeful for the future of our communities and youth,” Aguilar-Castaneda said. “A lot of youth poured lots of time and effort into shaping this center even though they knew they wouldn’t be the ones using the space because they’d be adults by the time it opened. I think it’s a beautiful testament to what can happen when we center collective dreams and aspirations.”
The grand opening began with musical selections by the Gonzales High School Band. Gonzales City Manager Carmen Gil gave the opening remarks and then presented Gonzales Mayor Jose Rios, Janice Caprara, Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren, Sen. Anna Caballero, Isabel Meza from Sen. John Laird’s Office, Monterey County Supervisor Chris Lopez, Allison Otto of Otto Construction and California State Director for Rural Development Bryan Anguiano of USDA.
Supervisor Lopez gave a message of hope for the City of Gonzales community and especially the youth who will begin to use the center.
“The kids that walk here, who stumble in here, who seek refuge in this building from whatever they may be experiencing that they needed relief or exit from, are going to find hope, they are going to find opportunity and they are going to find access to a world that starts in Gonzales but goes beyond,” Lopez said. “I was always struck by that saying that if you are looking for hope, seek out someone who plants trees. Everyone person here today helped plant these trees that’s a belief that there’s a bigger and brighter future ahead of us. I got to help bring in a little money in, but it’s nothing compared to the legacy that Dennis and Janice (Caprara) have left in this community and continue to bring here. I am grateful for the opportunity to be a leader here in this first House of Knowledge that helped invest in this second House of Knowledge. And as we move forward together as a community, we’ll continue to build together for that is our collective charge to do better day by day.”
Afterward, Gil gathered all the speakers, Gonzales City Council members and Youth Commissioners for the ribbon cutting. Janice Caprara then used a large set of scissors to cut the yellow ribbon as the hundreds in attendance cheered her on.
An open house took place after the ribbon cutting so that everyone could walk through the new Teen Innovation Center and library branch, while enjoying a performance by the Palenke Arts folklorico dance group from Seaside. The library will be open for business next month, as work on the shelving is still needed.
Constructed on a city-owned parcel just east of Fairview Middle School, the entire project is being built in two phases. With Phase 1 now complete, Phase 2 — planned for future development — will add a Community Hall with commercial kitchen, meeting rooms and a fitness center, creating a total 23,314-square-foot complex.
