A new Boys & Girls Club opened its doors Tuesday in West Palm Beach, giving hundreds of children and teens a place to study, explore their interests and plan for the future. The Julie & Mike Connors Boys & Girls Club, at 1150 Southern Blvd., held its grand opening after years of planning.
The $17 million, 31,000-square-foot building is the 21st location for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County. The organization expects it to serve about 800 children and teens a year, with roughly 220 attending on a typical day. It will serve kids ages 6 to 18.
Mike Connors said the need in the surrounding neighborhood is larger than many people realize, pointing to single-parent families who need help keeping kids off the streets.
The building includes a gym and stage, an academic center, computer labs, a dance studio, a commercial kitchen, a sound and recording studio, a maker space and an outdoor playground. Teens can get hands-on training in robotics, health care, content creation, design and culinary arts. Younger members will get daily homework help and tutoring from certified teachers.
The club is also aimed at families who need affordable child care. During the school year it opens after school from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. On non-school days, including summer and teacher planning days, hours run from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Membership is $30 for a child for the school year and summer, and scholarships are available. Kids receive snacks and a hot dinner after school, and breakfast, lunch and a snack on full days.
