The Game Loft Announces Closure After 27 Years of Serving Belfast Youth

February 10, 2025

Belfast, ME – After 27 years of serving Belfast youth, The Game Loft will close its doors on February 14, 2025, marking the end of a beloved community institution. This difficult decision comes after years of financial challenges, leadership transitions, and declining participation following the COVID-19 pandemic.

Staff and volunteers, who have been the backbone of our programs, have been informed, and most will be laid off as part of the closure. Limited operational support will remain in place to manage final reporting and administrative processes.

The I Know ME (IKME) program will continue to operate out of RSU 3 for the remainder of February, allowing time for discussions on a potential transition of the program to a new organization that can ensure its sustainability.

For nearly three decades, The Game Loft has not only provided a safe space for young people but has also fostered a culture of service and leadership. Youth involved in our programs have given back to Belfast through community cleanups, assisting those in need, and supporting local events—creating a lasting legacy of civic engagement. Their presence and service have been as integral to downtown Belfast as any long-standing business.

Despite efforts to recover from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, The Game Loft faced declining participation and funding shortages. With donor fatigue, an unsuccessful search for new leadership, and the sale of our physical space, financial insolvency made this difficult decision unavoidable.

Thanks to the outpouring of community support in the summer of 2024, The Game Loft was able to extend its programming for an additional eight months, creating meaningful impact with a hopeful outlook. However, the exhaustion of local grant sources and donations from committed friends of the organization, the impending sale of our space, and limited state and federal funding left no viable path forward.

The Game Loft extends its deepest gratitude to the community, donors, volunteers, and the countless youth who have made the organization what it is today. While The Game Loft’s doors will close, its mission—to provide a safe, engaging space for youth—can live on. We encourage community members to continue fostering spaces where young people can connect, grow, and contribute.

Media Contact:
Tim Seymour
president@thegameloft.org
Maine Youth Alliance, Board President