Boys & Girls Clubs of America CEO says renovated Oshkosh complex among the very best
OSHKOSH ― The new Boys & Girls Club is getting top marks from the top dog himself.
President and CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of America James Clark ranks the newly renovated Oshkosh facility, at 501 E. Parkway Ave., as one of the very best he’s ever seen after getting a firsthand view of the grand $18.5 million expansion.
Clark made the comments to cap a VIP event May 2 celebrating the completion of the renovation’s latest phase.
“This is one of the top Boys & Girls Clubs facilities in the country for two reasons; yes it’s big and yes there’s a lot of space, but the programming that will take place here for kids and teens will be second to none,” Clark said.
“And the other part is what they’re doing with community resources as 23 of them are partners in this building to help kids and their families so they, too, can be successful,” Clark added.
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The comments carry some weight considering Clark oversees almost 5,000 Boys & Girls Clubs across 50 states and other U.S. military installations globally.
He was just one of many dignitaries and major donors who received personal tours of the new complex ahead of a public opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony May 5.
A five-stage capital project, the expansion saw the creation of the Hyde Family Center, a new Verve Administrative Center, the OshKosh B’gosh Middle School Center, Community First Credit Union Multipurpose Field and the Amcor Teen Center.
That expansion and renovation resulted in a second-floor space for teens above the administrative center that is separate from the elementary and middle school age kids.
It also doubled the program space for middle school children ages 10 to 12 while adding the extra building space of the Hyde Community Center toward the back of the facility.
“My jaw dropped when I pulled up to the parking lot,” said Clark of seeing the newly expanded complex.
“I was absolutely surprised because I haven’t been here in about 10 years, and it was night and day from what it was 10 years ago.”
There is still another phase to the expansion that will see the completion of a second gym and new playground later this year.
According to Tracy Ogden, CEO of the Boys & Girls Club of Oshkosh, this project will help the club service an additional 150 kids, allowing the facility to accommodate 450 children daily.
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“Together, we have created a space where children can learn, grow, thrive and a place where futures are shaped, dreams are nurtured and our opportunities are abound,” Ogden said in her address.
“This momentous occasion is a testament to the power of our community, the spirit of generosity and the transformative impact we can have when we work together.”
An open house for the public was slated for noon to 4 p.m. May 5 with a ribbon-cutting at 3 p.m.
Have a story tip or public interest concern? Contact Justin Marville at jmarville@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Oshkosh Northwestern: Oshkosh Boys & Girls Club gets rave reviews from CEO James Clark
