MORE: Test run for new club gets thumbs up from kids
They played in the expansive, sunlight gym, lounged in colorful and comfy chairs and snacked in a mini-café while bouncing in their seats from excitement.
And there was some studying going on too.
Dozens of students cracked open their textbooks, taking advantage of the cutting-edge club’s numerous study areas, and some worked with club academic tutors on their homework.
The young students and teens explored the 30,000-square-foot, two-story club, which is six times larger than the old, rented daycare facility they were used to.
Watching nearby was Dana Pink, director of organizational development in the Midwest for the Boys & Girls Clubs of America.
Pink has seen dozens of new clubs open in recent years but was wowed by this new local version.
“On a scale from 1 to 10, I give it an 11,” said Pink.
School buses transporting students began to arrive around 3 p.m. Thursday and were met by dozens of club staffers and volunteers who showed the kids around Ohio’s premier new youth club.
Some curious school parents joined them to see for themselves what Lakota and club officials describe as a game-changer for giving youth in West Chester and Liberty townships a safe, healthy after-school option.
Among them was Samiah Walker, has two children already enrolled in the club, and she looked around and described the facility as “phenomenal.”
“I love everything about it. All the kid energy goes into all the different rooms and study sessions. My kids love the staff here and they love the programs that are offered,” said Walker. “It’s all something you look at as being a parent and you know you want your children to be involved with it.”
The club sits on the site of a former Lakota school and exists because of Lakota officials struck a deal with leaders of the local Boys & Girls Club to lease the site and cover the demolition costs in a regionally unique partnership.
MORE: West Chester Boys & Girls Club gets Lakota backing, money
A place for kids to feel cared for, but more importantly to dream and grow, was club officials’ mission behind building the massive youth center at 8735 Cincinnati-Dayton Road in Olde West Chester.
For Bridget Graber, chief executive officer of the Boys & Girls Club West Chester/Liberty, each happy kid smile was affirmation of a dream turning into reality.
“We’ve been prepping for this for a really long time. Today we got to experience the kids walking in for the first time to their permanent home and it is an unbelievable feeling to see their smiling faces and to hear their feet running on the floors,” Graber said.
“For us to give them hugs is what we’ve all been waiting for.”
One of the quiet study rooms and computer labs found Lakota Ridge Junior High student Sierra McCarthy learning on a provided computer station.
“I like that it’s quiet and if you need it, there is always somebody (tutor) to help you. It’s a very fun and inviting place and you have everything you need to get your homework done here,” said Sierra.
The club, which came about through a long-term leasing agreement with Lakota Schools for the former school campus at 8735 Cincinnati-Dayton Rd., was years in the making and continues to fundraise from local businesses and individuals as well as pursuing state and federal grant money.
For more information on the new Boys & Girls Club and how to join or donate, go to www.bgcwcl.com or call 513-860-1923.
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