POLSON — Despite the coronavirus pandemic, construction of the new Boys and Girls Club in Polson is making significant progress.
Construction of the new Boys and Girls Club started in September of 2019.
Originally slated to open this September, the nearly 23,000 square foot facility will now be opening doors in early October.
Boys and Girls Club Executive Director Aric Cooksley says the facility will hold a soft opening, postponing the grand showcase due to COVID-19 concerns.
He says the facility will start hosting kids as soon as they open their doors, in a safe and socially distancing manner.
“As soon as we can get in and have everything ready to go, we will be getting kids in there as quickly as possible,” said Cooksley.
The new facility will feature a gymnasium, music room, art center and more, serving kids ranging from ages 6 to 18.
Polson School District Superintendent Tom DiGiallonardo says the new facility will be a great resource for his students, located just across the street from Polson Middle School.
“Really excited when that facility opens because of the proximity to the middle school, and it will recruit some high school students to get in there after school, and it’s healthy, safe, after school time, where they’re supervised and they have some food and can get homework help,” said DiGiallonardo.
Due to COVID-19 concerns, Cooksley says annual summer fundraiser events for the Boys and Girls Club have been canceled.
He says the project is $215,000 short of their $5.2 million goal, which would cover the entire costs of construction.
Cooksley says they’re holding an online virtual sneak peek celebration of the facility on Sunday, July 26, hoping to reach their fundraiser goal.
“Help us cross the finish line so that we not only get into this amazing facility for the kids, but we finish it up debt-free,” said Cooksley.
The online event will be live-streamed on its website at 7 p.m.
