ELK GROVE, CA (MPG) - The City of Elk Grove will not renew its lease with the Teen Center of Elk Grove when the agreement expires at the end of September, citing ongoing operational and financial challenges at the organization.

“The decision follows several years of significant operational and financial challenges that have not been satisfactorily addressed by the organization to support entering into a new lease agreement,” the city said in a statement published on Aug. 20. 

The city plans to use the transition to evaluate how the Teen Center building and former library building could be used for youth programs and services.

According to the city, recent community outreach conducted as part of the Library Building Reuse Project showed strong interest in expanding youth services and programming in Elk Grove.

“The end of the current lease provides the City with an opportunity to evaluate how the Teen Center building and former library building could best be used to meet the evolving needs of young people in our community,” the statement said.

City officials said the decision does not necessarily mean a teen center or similar program will not return in the future.

The city will consider potential programming models, facilities and operating partnerships, including the possibility of a new organization operating youth services at either the current Teen Center building or the former library building.

The Teen Center building also needs significant renovations and improvements, according to the city. Officials plan to assess the facility’s future use and determine what upgrades may be needed before it can serve future community needs.

In the meantime, Elk Grove Unified School District is offering a free after-school program at Kerr Middle School, which the city said could provide another option for local youth and help address some of the demand currently served by the Teen Center.