Somerset,
Pennsylvania - February 1, 2013 - The Boys & Girls Club of Somerset had a ribbon cutting ceremony this week to
celebrate the opening of their new 11,000 SF facility at Georgian Place. Previously located in the Lion's Club building on West
Fairview Street, The Club had outgrown the former facility due to the
success of the service and various programs offered to children 6 to
18. The Club has an ongoing campaign to establish their Growth Fund,
which allowed for the purchase of the new facility and will establish an
endowment fund to sustain operations of the new facility in the future.
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| Ribbon Cutting Ceremony |
The
former space provided 3,500 square feet for Club activities. With more than
11,000 square feet, including classrooms, a kitchen, gym, and expanded
restroom facilities, the new space will allow the Boys & Girls Club of
Somerset County to accommodate more children and expand the programs offered to
the youth of Somerset County. "We do not turn any children away
here," commented Barbara Knecht, chief professional officer of the Club.
"The past two years we have had to have a waiting list, but now we
can accommodate everyone on the
list as well as additional children and teenagers."
"It's
amazing how well this space fit the needs of the club
without requiring a major remodel," said Tonya Spangler, VP of
Leasing and Sales for Georgian Place. "Having found a user
who can benefit from the high ceiling and existing restrooms is fantastic.
The club will be a great addition to the Georgian Place community," she
said. It is evident by the proudly displayed wall art and
pretty pink flowers artfully pasted on the door to the
girls restroom that the kids have taken quite a liking to this massive
new place to learn and grow.
About The Boys & Girls Club of Somerset County
The
Boys & Girls Club of Somerset County is a non-profit organization that
supports the youth of our community. It offers a positive environment during
the after-school hours. The Club's mission is to inspire and enable all young
people, especially those who need us most, to realize their full potential as
productive, responsible and caring citizens. The Club is open to all youth ages
6-18 currently attending public, private, home or charter schools in Somerset
County. On a typical day at the Club, students are provided a small snack, time
to complete their homework, and the opportunity to spend time with other kids
their age. Office hours are 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and programming is from
2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
About Georgian Place
In
2005 SugarOak Properties converted the 182,000 square feet former Outlet Center
at Georgian Place into a full-service business condominium -- providing office,
retail, medical and service users with an opportunity to purchase or lease
ready-to-use space at below market prices. The Boys & Girls Club joins
businesses including Precision Fitness, Famous Footwear Outlet, Boyer
Financial Planning, Pennsylvania Highlands Community College, Fastenal,
Paramount Martial Arts, Broken Spoke Mercantile, Vittone Eye Surgical
Associates, The Sewing Box Quilt Shop, Laurel Arts Education and Dance
Center, Pediatric Care Specialists, Family Behavioral Resources, Wilson Creek Energy and
more.
"We have stuck with our initial plan to create a mixed-use center anchored with medical and professional offices and have been diligent in maintaining existing tenants," Spangler said in a press release. "The project has taken creativity and substantial capital and management investments by SugarOak to be this successful."
