Boys and Girls Club will look to private real estate for new home

The Boys and Girls Club of Glacier Country told the School District 6 board last week it was opting out of using school facilities for its expansion.

Club president Justin Lee read a letter to the board that outlined the club’s reasonings behind the decision.

The club had considered two options — building a new structure next to Ruder Elementary on school land or possibly taking over part of the old Glacier Gateway School, which has a gym and classrooms.

But the club has decided neither options fits the bill.

“After much consideration, committee and community discussion, meetings with experts and much deliberation, it has been determined by our board, that occupying the Glacier Gateway Elementary building is not in the best interest of the vision we have for our organization or the youth we serve for several reasons,” the club wrote.

For one, the timeline for using Glacier Gateway is still about three years out, as the school won’t be empty until a new one is built.

Additionally, the building would likely come with high maintenance costs and “will not be the best financial decision if we want to be in our next building for another 30-40 years.”

At Ruder, the problem is space, the board noted in its letter.

With the Ruder expansion going in, it doesn’t look like there will be room for a club building, the board noted.

“Our HUB Committee (Hub is the name of the new facility) and Board of Directors agree that this location appears it would no longer be suitable for our vision as it will limit us to current needs and future growth because of land constraints.

“As such, it currently appears that there are no available options for our facilities to be in close proximity with each other,” the letter states.

The club thanked the school board for its consideration.

“We greatly appreciate the school board’s consideration and time spent on trying to find viable options for our organizations to work and exist more closely together. We want to be clear that even though we may not be able to have our facilities right next to each other, that we still excitedly look forward to working closely with the school district to serve and mutually support all of our community’s children.

“With the Boys and Girls Club being an after-school program, our mission is ‘To ensure all youth, especially those who need us the most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens.’ Together we will turn this mission into a reality,” the letter says.

The club will now look for other possibilities for properties in the area, Lee said after the meeting.

In the past few years, the club has expanded its programs and has operated all summer, serving about 35 school-aged children, even during the coronavirus pandemic.