Construction will start Tuesday on a teen center officials hope to see open in October 2024.
Artist rendering
Construction will begin Tuesday on a new regional teen center for Boys & Girls Club of the Heartland.
The 31,000-square-foot facility will be located on the Poplar Bluff High School campus.
BGCH had previously set a goal of having a dedicated teen facility by October 2025. Officials said that a date for a groundbreaking ceremony is expected to be announced in the coming weeks.
The Regional Workforce Development Teen Center will provide a state-of-the-art space for workforce development programs, focusing on career readiness, vocational training, and leadership development for teens across the region, officials said.
They believe the project marks a major step forward in preparing local teens for the workforce.
Support for the $10 million project has come from the local community, area businesses, Poplar Bluff School District and state and local officials.
Thanks to an overwhelming wave of support from Sen. (Jason) Bean, local banks, businesses and individual pledges, BGCH is well on its way to making this vision a reality, BGCH shared in a press release.
In 2017, the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Heartland devised a plan to seize this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, said CEO, Chris Rushin.
“In 2020, our team conducted a comprehensive Youth Needs Assessment, which laid the groundwork for engaging teens and helping them break the cycle of poverty,” he added. “In 2021, we partnered with CCS Fundraising to assess whether our community could and would support the project necessary to implement our plans.
“Just a year after going public, we have secured the financing to begin construction.”
There is still fundraising to complete, said Director of Resource Development and Finance Terri McCormick.
“We are incredibly grateful for the overwhelming dedication and support from our administrative team, our Board of Directors and the community,” she shared. “There are numerous ways to get involved, with sponsorship opportunities at every level — from $50 monthly donations to leaving your legacy on a brick, a flagpole, or even the gymnasium.”
This project is being led by Integrate Construction.
“This partnership reflects a shared commitment to enhancing educational and career opportunities for local youth,” BGCH staff shared. “The BGCH Workforce Development Teen Center is expected to have a profound impact on the community, serving as a hub for career-oriented education and empowering the next generation of workers and leaders in the Heartland region.”
BGCH is excited to start this journey and partnership with Integrate Construction Partners and the Lawrence Group, said Robbie Toth, chief operating officer.
For more information on the project or how to get involved, go to our website www.bgcpb.org, or contact Chris Rushin at cpo@bgcpb.org or Terri McCormick at terri2@bgcpb.org.
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