HERALD DEMOCRAT

Community support has resulted in a $155,000 facelift for the Boys & Girls Club of Denison. The fruits of those efforts were celebrated Tuesday night when the club held its official ribbon cutting and open house.

Located on Mirick Avenue, across from Denison High School, the club has long provided a safe, fun place for youngsters after school and in the summers. The years of use had resulted in extreme wear and tear to the building's interior. Substantial donations from the Clara Blackford and W. Aubrey Smith Foundation and the Oliver Dewey Mayor Foundation enabled work to begin several months ago on the extensive renovation. The work, now almost complete, has resulted in a brighter, more user-friendly facility that the staff, the youngsters, the foundations, and the club's supporters are all proud of.

"The work is about 98 percent finished, and we hope to have it completed by the end of the year," said Patrick Guarino, executive director of the club. "We thought it was far enough along that we could celebrate."

Guarino, who has been at the club since Aug. 17, said he's impressed by the current and ongoing investment the community is making in the club. And with the newly-renovated building, he said he's hoping to increase the number of children using the club.

"We have 45 kids during the school year and that number goes up to 75 or 80 during the summer," Guarino said. "My goal is to have 60 kids during the school year and 100 in the summer."

Guarino and the club's board president, Bob Rhoden, greeted board and foundation members, along with youngsters and their parents during Tuesday night's festivities. They, as well as many of those responsible for the significant changes to the building, were anxious to give visitors a tour, pointing out the many improvements. Among them are totally renovated bathrooms, including a handicapped-accessible facility, a code approved fire alarm system, exit lights, a modernized kitchen with commercial grade appliances, new paint throughout, a new gym floor, electronically-controlled glass basketball backboards, a softer outdoor playground area, phone system, light fixtures and much more.

Ronnie Cole, a Smith Foundation trustee, pointed out the many improvements. Money from the Smith Foundation enabled much of the needed interior work to be done.

"This is a place these kids can be proud of," said Cole as he viewed the now bright, open gym which features a professional sport court floor.

Money from the Oliver Dewey Mayor Foundation enabled the club to replace its two worn out vans with a newer, gently used van. The new van not only has a working air conditioning system, but seatbelts that securely snap, making the ride safer and more comfortable for the youngsters.

Though much of the facility has been renovated and received a greatly-needed facelift, more work is left to be done, according to Rhoden. The "Adopt A Room" program is ongoing.

Ruiz 4 Kids has adopted the club's reading room and has begun work on it. However, several more rooms needing attention are still available such as a large, all-purpose room, homework room and other areas.

In explaining the programs provided by the club to the children, Rhoden stressed that the students' school work takes priority.

"Homework comes first," Rhoden said. "The kids have to do that first when they get here in the afternoons, then they can do other activities ... We're open until 6 p.m., and lots of the parents can't get here to pick them up until then. By the time they get home, finish dinner and other things, it's late and hard to get homework done."

In addition to the homework room, the club has had a 10-computer technology lab for several years. These are available to the youngsters only for special projects and school work, Rhoden added.

"We're very excited about the changes and are now able to look towards the future," Rhoden said.

Once tours were given and refreshments served, the crowd migrated into the welcoming gym for a special presentation and door prizes. Welcoming the group was Rhoden, who then displayed plaques honoring the Smith and Mayor Foundations, Ruiz 4 Kids and Lowry Construction for their significant contributions towards the project. The plaques will be permanently displayed at the club. There to represent the Smith Foundation were trustees Cole and Jack Lilley.

Rhoden also commended the many contractors and businesses who provided services, materials and equipment at greatly reduced rates.

Guarino spoke briefly to the crowd and introduced club staff members. Working with Guarino are: Jennifer Schwichtenberg, program director; Shelli Taylor, Josh Kelly and Ty Dehorney, program services; Ashley Carter, special programs; and Bonnie Guarino, front desk volunteer.