Wilson Boys & Girls Club to close Nov. 26

November 04, 2008 12:01 am

— ANDERSON — A fixture of Anderson’s west side has become the latest casualty of a troubled economy.
On Monday, officials from Wilson Boys & Girls Club announced that the facility at 2200 W. 22nd St. would close on Nov. 26, citing “economic conditions.” Their intent is for a temporary closure until programs can be relocated.
“The cost of operating the programs in the current facility is cost-prohibitive due to its age and the upgrades needed to the building,” board President William Watson said in a written statement.
“The organization plans to reopen the programs in the future after implementing a strategy to restructure the operations, secure a viable collaborative partner to share a westside facility and develop a comprehensive fundraising plan which will sustain the operations in the future.”
Watson said the club will adhere to its current schedule of programs and activities until Nov. 26 and will serve as an election polling location today.
The club offers a variety of programs for young people, including dance, music, athletics and personal finance. Wilson Boys & Girls Club also provides a hot meal once a day and reaches out to adults through its Family Plus program.
“We’ve been fighting that monster for quite some time, we can’t keep incurring the expenses,” Watson said. “We will get the services re-established, this is just a temporary shutdown. Everything will stay intact until then.”
Watson said the club is looking at the Zion Family Life Center, Mercy House, the former Shadeland School, the Geater Center and the former North Anderson School as possible locations to transfer programming.
“What we’re looking for is a smaller building where the total operating costs will be less,” said Executive Director Rodney Nichols. “One of the issues is the heating portion of it, one is the cooling portion of it, but there’s also the insurance and other things on the building.”
Nichols said the club served 760 young people in 2007, averaging 75 to 80 per day during the school year. But the club’s operating budget has fallen from $317,000 in 2000 to $250,000 in 2008 and its staff of six full-time workers has fallen to three.
In September, officials launched a fundraising effort intended to bring in $35,000, but Nichols said the club was able to raise just half its goal.
In June, the city of Anderson agreed to forgive the club more than $47,000 in past-due utility bills. In all, a $36,524 electricity bill and a $10,602 water bill were wiped clean.
“Basically, we want both of them to survive and they were unable to pay,” said Greg Graham, chairman of the Anderson Board of Public Works, which also absolved the Paramount Theatre Centre of its debt. “Both are important to the community and both are struggling every day as are many of the nonprofits in the area.”
Mark Lamey at the Board of Works said Wilson Boys & Girls Club currently has an outstanding bill of $6,700 for electric, water, storm water and security lights. But he said club officials recently submitted a $4,000 payment.
Nichols said the club will look for a buyer to take over the building. Its two tenants, Little Blessings Day Care and Sowers of Seeds, will have to find new homes.
Touting itself as “the positive place for kids,” Wilson Boys & Girls Club provides guidance and character-development through education, career development, health and life skills, the arts and recreation for children 6 to 18 years old.
“We can’t let a 60-year legacy of providing a positive place for kids to come go down the drain,” Nichols said. “We have no intention of letting this die. We’re going to come back stronger than before.”

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