Gilmer County moves one step closer to a new Boys and Girls Club after a groundbreaking event for a forthcoming playground last week.
Renovation work is currently underway on the 8,000-square foot Progress Road facility that will eventually house the Three Rivers Boys and Girls Club.
The site was purchased in 2018, largely with funding provided by Faith, Hope and Charity Recycle Store Inc. The building had been divided to accommodate three separate tenants prior to that 2018 purchase.
The new club will include classrooms for specific age groups, as well as the playground and indoor and outdoor fitness areas. A building renovation fundraising campaign is currently $35,000 short of its $965,000 goal.
As long as everything goes according to plan, the club will transition from its current home inside the Gilmer County Civic Center to the new facility by January, confirmed Cassie Rasco, development director for the Boys and Girls Clubs of North Georgia.
The groundbreaking event was hosted by the Gilmer Chamber, and the new playground will be installed around the end of this month, noted Rasco.
The Three Rivers Boys and Girls Club serves first-to-12th grade children throughout Gilmer County. Around 150 kids are typically enrolled in its afterschool program during a normal year without any COVID-19 restrictions.
The new location will allow the local club to serve its largest number of children to date since the program was first offered here in 2010.
The Progress Road facility will accommodate 250-300, noted Rasco.