BGCWN expands with additional Smart Start centers

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Western Nevada’s Smart Start center expansion efforts are moving forward after closing escrow on its Mountain Street location this month and assuming management of Carson City’s former Creativity Corner Preschool and Nursery.

Both projects are building the traction in child care access state and local leaders have been eyeing to help eliminate barriers for families and increase workforce development or educational opportunities. With more Smart Start centers in Carson City come more services, BGCWN events manager Kaitlyn Pannucci said, speaking on the significance of the newest location acquisitions.

“We’re always looking to open up more spots,” Pannucci told the Appeal. “But I would say by the end of August, we would have created, like, 150 day care spots by our management.”

The location at 2805 Mountain St. will be the organization’s first standalone property and will offer openings for up to 100 youth. Its remodel includes interior and exterior improvements with safety features, a new playground at the back of the building and a commercial kitchen among other features. The kitchen will be shared with the facility’s neighbor, Tierra Senior Living. Pannucci told the Appeal the Mountain Street building is expected to open in 2025.

Meanwhile, Pannucci said the BGCWN closed on Creativity Corner as of July 2, an independent day care for which the transition was seamless for staff and families. Creativity’s staff was onboarded to the Boys & Girls Club, with the goal of making any changes to operations or the facilities as easy as possible at the 2323 N. Carson St. address. The new center will have a capacity for 60 children and serve newborns to 3 years of age.

“We were presented the opportunity to buy Creativity Corner,” Pannucci said. “It’s really kind of our mission to not only open up more spots for day care in Carson City but to make sure we can keep them as well.”

The funding to create more Boys & Girls Clubs centers and programs was provided through American Rescue Plan Act dollars designated for early childhood and day care access by Gov. Joe Lombardo and the Nevada Legislature after the release of a report showing Nevada demonstrated critical needs to provide more resources in this area.

The sum of ARPA funds gave Boys & Girls Clubs $16.7 million for the purchase, lease and construction of facilities before the end of 2024 and completion by 2026, which was important for the upstart of its capital ventures. Staff will continue to bolster its mission with its capital campaign, “One Community, Infinite Possibilities,” which is directed toward business partners and sponsors. CEO Brett Zunino previously reported to the Appeal in May the effort is specific to the Mountain Street location.

The Governor’s Workforce Development Board’s Childcare Policy Report, released in February 2023, revealed 74% of children ages 0-5 in the state do not have access to licensed child care and more than 65% live in homes where both parents work and need access to child care.

Some of the most recent figures available indicate in Carson City there are more than 1,400 youth 5 and younger who are not being served. To keep up, the region would need at least an additional 20 day care centers to assist the community’s needs.

BGCWN also prepares for its Thompson Street Smart Start center opening at Bordewich Bray Elementary School next month. The facility is an agreement with the Carson City School District and will prioritize enrollment for up to 60 employees’ children starting Aug. 14 before the district’s back-to-school date on Aug. 19.

Minden, too, offer its “Wray Family Boys and Girls Club of Western Nevada,” the area’s first Smart Start and Clubhouse named in honor of the local donor who donated the building at 990 Ironwood Drive. The new facility will service 350 youth to include infants to teens and provide 25 new positions.

“(The families) are very excited,” Pannucci said. “We’re just as excited as they are and we’re also very grateful for Lois Wray and what she’s been able to do for us. I don’t think people realize the actual impact that building’s going to have.”

For information, visit https://bgcwn.org/.