Padre Dam Board Approves $1 Lease for Santee Teen Center

Padre Dam Municipal Water District’s Board of Directors unanimously approved a $1 per month lease agreement for the Santee Teen Center located at Santee Lakes Recreation Preserve. 

“The success of Santee Lakes affords us the ability to continue this partnership with the Teen Center for the purpose of giving Santee teens a positive recreational alternative and strengthening the relationship between Santee Lakes and the City Park and Recreation Department,” states Board President Bill Pommering.

The City of Santee requested the $1 per month lease payment for the Teen Center building due to funding shortfalls for the Teen Center Program.

“Our Board believes the benefits offered by the Teen Center provide an exceptional service to the community and we wanted to ensure it could continue operations despite a shortfall in the City’s funding sources for the program,” said President Pommering.

"While Santee Lakes is able to absorb this subsidy again this year, we are unsure how long we will be able to continue providing a $1 lease.  The increasing costs of operating Santee Lakes and the need to maintain this regional asset at the highest level require Padre Dam to continue to maximize funding opportunities and reduce expenditures."

The Santee Teen Center is a safe place for teens aged 12 to 17 or grades 6 to 12 to go after school. It is situated right next to Lake 5 of the Santee Lakes.

The center offers a game room, computer center, kitchen and outdoor activities. There is street parking and a pathway opening into the Santee Lakes recreation area, so you don't have to pay the entrance fee. Annual membership is $40 for Santee residents and $54 for non-residents, or $5 per day.

"Santee Lakes is proud of our collaboration with the City of Santee to offer a safe and entertaining facility like the Teen Center at Santee Lakes.  Not only will the Teen Center be utilized throughout the school year but Santee Lakes will also serve as a recreational hub for all of their youth camp programs in the summer," comments Director of Park and Recreation Johnathan Skinner.

A Padre Dam Municipal Water District press release contributed to this post.