Topping Out Ceremony for Ashland Youth Center Monday

By Alameda County Health Care Services Agency

Clark and Sullivan Construction is hosting a “Topping Out” ceremony to mark the last 30-foot iron beam to be set in place of the

The community is invited to celebrate this milestone by signing the beam with their own personalized message. The ceremony will be held, April 16 from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. The official program portion of the event begins at 4 p.m. at the center located at 16335 E. 14th St., San Leandro. 

The Ashland Youth Center is a . The Center, which will open in December, grew from a process that began eight years ago when local youth expressed frustration with a lack of services and positive activities in the Ashland/Cherryland area. The youth where young people would have access to health services and youth development programming in their own neighborhood.

Pedro Naranjo, Executive Director, Ashland Youth Center said, “The Ashland Youth Center is the epitome of what is possible when young people and adults combine their intellect and love to transform their communities.”

Nate Miley, President, of the Alameda County Board of Supervisors said, “I am thrilled that we can celebrate the hard work by the community to reach this moment and the many wonderful things still to come with completion of the state-of-the-art facility dedicated to addressing the critical needs of young people.”

What is a "Topping Out" Ceremony?

A “Topping Out” ceremony has taken different forms throughout history, but it still holds a significant meaning to modern steel construction workers. A pine tree is to be placed at the top of the steel structure to show that no lives were lost during the construction and to honor timber as an original construction material. Ironworkers raise an American flag to show respect and loyalty to flag and country and workers sign the last beam with hopes and wishes for the new building.

"Clark and Sullivan would like show our appreciation to Alameda County, the community and everyone who has been involved with the project." said Ted Foor, Project Manager for Clark and Sullivan building the center. "We invite the community to give their best wishes by signing the beam and participating in the ceremony."

The 31,500 square foot, two-story youth center is slated to be open December of 2012 and is currently the largest youth center being built in the country.

For more information about the project, click here.