Rocker ALICE COOPER is spearheading a new teen centre initiative in his adopted Arizona so that local youths have a place to hangout.

The School’s Out hitmaker will help fund the facility, dubbed The Rock, at the Grand Canyon University in Phoenix.

Cooper received an honorary doctorate from the school last year (06).

In a statement, the rocker says, "With Grand Canyon University’s support, we are fulfilling a vision we’ve had for several years - to provide teens and children with a central place to learn, have fun, and explore their creativity in a supportive environment. "I hope that, in years to come, The Rock will be the first of many such teen centres in Arizona and around the country." American Idol winner Jordin Sparks, who joined Cooper at the groundbreaking ceremony on Friday (14Dec07) has also donated some of her contest winnings to the college, where her grandmother studied.