Suzie [Burke]'s involved? Shoot, this project's going to get done!"
That's the very optimism executive director Nita Smith is carrying with her these days as the Wallingford Boys & Girls Club heads "home" to North 45th Street.
After more than a decade spent at Lincoln High School and Emmanuel Bible Church on North 50th Street, the club plans to be back in its old clubhouse on 45th near Stone Way North in March 2007.
"We're so excited, because we're heading home to what we know is home," Smith said. "We've been waiting a long time for this."
A community collaboration
The club will hold its "wall-breaking" ceremony on Oct. 3, marking the start of a $1.73 million renovation project.
The Wallingford Boys & Girls Club has owned the building since its construction in 1952, but it was forced to leave the clubhouse in 1989 due to the lack of disabled access.
Major Fremont property owner Suzie Burke jumped at the opportunity to help the Wallingford Boys & Girls Club move back to its original nest once she heard the news.
"We need to get the kids back in the old clubhouse," Burke said. "The church has been wonderful, but we've got to get back [on 45th Street]."
Since the club launched its capital campaign, it has tallied nearly $1.5 million from local donations and community-development block grants.
"[Dunn Lumber owner] Rob Dunn and [Dick's Drive-In owner] Dick Spady have been phenomenal during our fund-raising efforts," Smith said.
"Wallingford is an area of intersection for many different schools and bus lines," Spady said. "The Boys & Girls Club provides a safe place for children to be, and I support that."
Spady pledged $100,000 in cash to the capital campaign, along with building materials and many volunteer hours.
Added benefits
The remodeled clubhouse will boast many new additions not available at the church site. A computer lab, art room and elevator mark some of the planned additions included in the club's blueprint.
"Our current location has been great, but we haven't been able to do many of the things we'd like to be doing," said Smith, who is in her second year as executive director.
An extended teen program through evenings and weekends is a major goal for the club upon its move. "We're going to have the flexibility with the new clubhouse to be open much longer for the children," Smith said.
With nearly 75 children per day served at the current location, Smith said the club could easily triple those numbers at the renovated clubhouse.
Burke herself is adding nearly 3,000 square feet by donating a lot directly next door to the clubhouse. An old guitar studio, Burke's lot will be converted into an outdoor playground and courtyard - a feature originally lacking with the old clubhouse. The lot has an estimated value of more than $400,000.
Burke held a fund-raiser last Thursday, Sept. 14, for the capital campaign, where local businesses and organizations pledged almost $250,000.
"The Fremont Chamber of Commerce, W.G. Clark Construction Co., Stone Way Roofing, The University Lions - so many groups have been so kind in their pledges," Burke said, "but we are still $150,000 short of our goal."
Little traffic impact
Both Burke and Smith say the forthcoming construction will not greatly affect the neighborhood and its already congested traffic situation.
"Since we are renovating the old building, most of the construction will be done on-site and not affect the street or neighboring businesses," Smith said.
"Our old facility wasn't fancy, but it worked great!" Burke said, chuckling. "This new facility will be beautiful, and it will be available for kids of all ages during many hours of the day.
"We are just shy of our campaign's goal," she continued. "Every dime will be well-spent, but we need everyone's help!"
The entire project is projected to be finished in early 2007; nearly six months of construction is set to start in early October. To help, contact the Wallingford Boys & Girls Club, at 547-7261.
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