Construction began in July on a new building for the Aberdeen Boys and Girls Club. The project is expected to be complete by June 2017. Executive Director Mike Herman took time to talk with us about some of the new facility’s features and the opportunities it will provide for area youth.
Currently, the Aberdeen Boys and Girls Club serves about 300 school-age children every day. They provide safe transportation from school as well as numerous field trips and encourage youth programs during both the school year and summer months. The new facility will increase in size from 16,000 to 29,000 square feet. This extra space will allow them to welcome even more members and provide affordable, fun services to over 400 children on a daily basis.
The club has operated out of the same building since its start 46 years ago. The new building will be completely handicap-accessible and is designed specifically to suit the needs of a youth center. Some features it will include are an art room, game room, education center with smart boards, and teen center. It will also have a top-notch security system.
A significant part of the Boys and Girls Club is their free meals food program. The new building will have an eating space large enough to accommodate everyone so they no longer have to worry about running out of seating room at meal times.
As of now, the Aberdeen Boys and Girls Club building campaign fund has reached 4.6 million dollars needed out of their 5.2 million dollar goal. // — Jenny Roth
For more information on how to donate or about their youth memberships contact the Aberdeen Boys and Girls Club at 605-225-8930 or visit www.bgcaberdeen.org.
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