Boys and Girls Clubs of Western Nevada break ground on new entrance, Lowe’s and local donors, partner for construction

CARSON CITY — With rain pounding outside, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Western Nevada broke ground inside on its new controlled entry on Thursday, Nov. 16, located at 1870 Russell Way in Carson City.

Katie Leao, chief professional officer for the Club said membership has increased by 67 percent over the past year, with an average 400 kids coming through the doors every day.

“Two years ago when I first started here, we had 260 kids coming in daily,” she said. “Today we have 400 to 425 kids passing through these doors every day.”

“Our new entrance will provide adequate oversight with critical updates and renovations to create a more controlled entry and exit point for our members, parents, vendors or other community members,” Leao said. “Safety has always been at the foundation of the Boys & Girls Clubs and is paramount to fulfilling our mission. This project demonstrates how seriously we take the safety of our members.”

The $150,000 project was funded through a combination of local donors, community partners, and a $50,000 Renovation Across the Nation grant from the Lowe’s Foundation.

Daniel Goff, manager for the Carson City Lowe’s store, said Lowe’s employees are encouraged every year to volunteer in the community through the Lowe’s Heroes program.

“I contacted Katie at the Club and learned she was in receipt of the national $50,000 grant and asked how we can partner with the Club to help with the project.”

Lowe’s Carson City is donating the paint for the project, and local Lowe’s employees are volunteering to paint the finished entry way.

Bill Miles, president and CEO of Carson City-based Miles Construction and board member for the Club, said the company is providing an in-kind donation of labor for the project.

“We’re not making a profit off this project,” he said. “We believe in giving back to the community, and very much value the education of young people and providing a safe place for them to learn and play.”

Leao said additional security measures in the project plan, including cameras inside and outside the Club through a generous foundation grant, monitors at the front desk for member check-in and enhanced 360-degree visibility from the front desk will build increased layers of protection for Club members.

Through this program, Lowe’s has donated $5 million to Boys & Girls Clubs across 50 states in the past two years. The Boys & Girls Clubs of Western Nevada was the only club chosen in Nevada to receive the grant.

Additional security measures in the project plan, including cameras inside and outside the Club, monitors at the front desk for member check-in and enhanced 360-degree visibility from the front desk will build increased layers of protection for Club members.

The front entrance of the Club will be closed for construction from Nov. 16 through January 16, 2018. The project by Miles Construction is expected to be completed in mid-January. Additional offices for staff and a first-aid room are also included in the plan.

During construction, parents are instructed to park at the Carson City Multi Use Athletic Center adjacent to the Club and use the back entrance for child drop off and pick up.

The groundbreaking was facilitated by local dignitaries, staff and management from the Lowe’s Carson City store, Katie Leao, Club chief professional officer and Matt Sampson, program director, for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Western Nevada, Andie Wilson, president of the Club’s board of directors, and Bill Miles of Miles Construction.

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Western Nevada has been a cornerstone of the community since opening its doors in 1993. Serving some 1,800 youth, Boys & Girls Clubs of Western Nevada provides a safe, structured and positive environment for young people after school, during holidays and summer vacation in six locations around Carson City and Douglas County. For more information, please visit www.bgcwn.org.

In the Photo: From left, Bill Miles and Steve Hearn from Miles Construction; Andie Wilson, from NAI Alliance and president of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Western Nevada’s board of directors; Mike Bennet, of Lumos & Associates and Club board member; Katie Leao, Club chief professional officer; Daniel Goff, store manager for the Carson City Lowe’s, and Darrin Berger of Berger Hannafin Architecture, architect for the project, break ground on a new controlled entrance for the Club.