Fund-raising difficulties have stopped construction for the winter, but the Onset Youth Center reports an uptick in donations of time, services, and money to help turn plans for a new building into reality.

The original Onset Youth Center was constructed in the 1950’s, in memory of the nine victims of a massive 1946 Onset gas explosion. By the 1980’s, the 17 Tenth Street building had become uninhabitable.  

Since then, the Center has continued to exist as an organization -- with the primary purpose of raising money to rebuild. With reconstruction estimated to cost between $500,000 and $850,000, it has been difficult to raise the money with fundraisers that bring in just a couple hundred dollars here, and a couple thousand there.   

But Treasurer Jenn Drinkwater said last week that the organization has received more than $10,000 toward the $20,000 needed for the pouring and capping the center’s foundation.  

Without citing a dollar amount, she said the Center also has the money needed to purchase materials for reconstruction. And she spoke enthusiastically of local contractors who have agreed to donate their labor.

 “Chuck Purdy of Purdy Construction has taken the lead on this project, donating many hours of labor to spearhead the demolition and clean-up of the existing site,” she said of the Wareham contractor. “He has agreed to continue to oversee the project until the building is completed.”

Onset Youth Center has also recently received commitments from Andrade Sons Excavation of Onset to remove the old brick foundation, and perform other work.

A backhoe was on site over the Thanksgiving weekend, helping demolish the old building and clean the footprint for the new center.

There is still no set date for construction of the building to begin, because the pace of construction is dependent upon the pace of fundraising, which is difficult to predict, said Drinkwater. But she noted that, after over two decades of fundraising, the demolition of the old building and the pouring of the foundation are a giant step forward.

“The economy is the biggest hindrance in our ability to proceed with this project," Drinkwater said. "We understand that people are living on bare-bones budgets, and businesses are have limited operating budgets and funds to give.”

Members of the organization are still optimistic. They are currently seeking volunteers who have experience in securing grants and soliciting money from private foundations. And they are steadfastly dedicated to their cause.

“Every community needs not only a place where citizens can come together to enjoy local fellowship, but also a place where our most vulnerable citizens, our children, can go after school where they feel safe and have the opportunity to participate in low-cost or free activities,” Drinkwater said.

Anyone interested in volunteering can reach Jenn Drinkwater at jenndrinkwateroyc@gmail.com, or call 508-317-3715.

Donations can be sent to Onset Youth Center Inc., P.O. Box 1731, Onset MA, 02558.