Manteo Youth Center
Manteo Youth Center is a 4,000-square-foot community facility constructed by Barnhill Building Group for Dare County to provide a welcoming, safe, and engaging environment for children and teens on Roanoke Island. Delivered using the Construction Manager at Risk (CM at Risk) delivery method and designed by Oakley Collier, the center was created to support the social, academic, and creative development of local youth while providing a flexible space for educational programs, recreation, and community engagement.
Designed to serve families throughout Dare County, the Manteo Youth Center offers a variety of dedicated spaces that encourage learning, creativity, and personal growth. The facility includes a vibrant game room where students can socialize and participate in supervised recreational activities, a computer lab that supports homework completion and digital learning, and a tutoring room that provides a quiet environment for academic assistance. A library and reading room promotes literacy and lifelong learning, while specialized arts and crafts and music rooms encourage creativity, self-expression, and hands-on exploration.
The building was carefully planned to provide flexible spaces capable of supporting a wide variety of youth programs throughout the year. After-school activities, educational workshops, mentoring opportunities, summer programs, and community events all benefit from adaptable spaces designed to meet the changing needs of students and staff. These environments encourage collaboration, build confidence, and create opportunities for meaningful connections among youth, families, volunteers, and community organizations.
Beyond its indoor amenities, the Manteo Youth Center features outdoor spaces that further enhance the visitor experience. A playground provides children with a safe and enjoyable place for recreation and unstructured play, encouraging physical activity and social interaction in an inviting outdoor environment. Convenient on-site parking with fifteen dedicated spaces allows families, staff, volunteers, and visitors to access the facility safely and efficiently.
As Construction Manager at Risk, Barnhill Building Group collaborated closely with Dare County, Oakley Collier, and project stakeholders throughout planning and construction to successfully deliver the project. Early coordination during preconstruction supported budget development, scheduling, constructability reviews, and quality planning while maintaining the county’s vision for a durable, welcoming, and highly functional community resource. Throughout construction, Barnhill emphasized craftsmanship, communication, safety, and collaboration to deliver a facility designed to serve the community for years to come.
Today, the Manteo Youth Center serves as an important community asset that extends beyond its physical building. Through educational programming, recreation, tutoring, creative arts, and community engagement, the center provides children and teens with opportunities to learn, develop new skills, and build lasting relationships in a supportive environment. The completed facility reflects Dare County’s continued investment in strengthening families, supporting youth development, and improving quality of life throughout the community.
Barnhill Building Group is proud to partner with communities across North Carolina to construct facilities that create lasting positive impacts. The Manteo Youth Center demonstrates Barnhill’s commitment to delivering high-quality community buildings that foster opportunity, encourage lifelong learning, and provide safe, welcoming spaces where future generations can thrive.
