Staff readies for Monday opening

Staff members of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Western Nevada spent all day Wednesday moving into their new clubhouse at the corner of Northridge Drive and Russell Way, officially leaving behind the club's former home of 15 years.

"The final week was nostalgic," said program director Dan McLaughlin, who has worked at the club for six years. "But it was pretty easy walking away.

"There's a lot of memories in that building, but this one's going to be so much better."

The new $5.5 million, 12,600-square-foot center has been in the works for about five years and will open to members Monday, the first day of school in Carson City.

"We have a couple of days to get situated and get ready for the kids," said Hal Hansen, club director. "We can't wait."

The former clubhouse, a 7,000-square-foot building on South Stewart Street, housed about 350 to 450 children and teens each day during the summer.

Hansen said attendance has been increasing with a daily attendance of 222-275 members during last school year, up about 20 percent from the year before.

He said there are 850 members enrolled in the club, and he is eager to see how many will show on the club's first day.

"I think it's probably going to increase being that we're in a neighborhood now," he said.

It's not only the location that's going to change, according to leaders.

Kyle Freitas, teen director, said there's going to be a greater emphasis for teens to participate in community and club service, as well as in job shadow and training programs.

"There's going to be a lot more responsibility for them to earn privileges, like TV and video games," he said.

An open house for the public to view the new club will be Sept. 2, with a parade, marching band, National Guard helicopter and refreshments.

"It's been a long, hard road," Hansen said. "There's been a lot of people who have helped. We can't thank them enough."