The Julie and Mike Connors Boys and Girls Club is set to open Tuesday at Dreher Park in West Palm Beach, near the Palm Beach Zoo and Cox Science Center. The $17 million project was under construction over the summer.
Jaene Miranda, CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County, said the club expects about 250 children a day and roughly 800 members over the year.
The building includes a Workforce Readiness Teen Center where middle and high school students can learn robotics, song production and content creation. Students can also earn certifications in drone piloting, healthcare, construction safety and culinary arts. A 12,000-square-foot gym includes a built-in dance studio, and certified teachers will help with homework and academic gaps.
The club will provide transportation from Belvedere Elementary, Palmetto Elementary, Conniston Middle and Forest Hill High. It stays open until 8 p.m. on weekdays and runs from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. during summer.
Membership costs $30 a year for children ages 6 to 18 and includes an after-school snack and a hot dinner. Families can sign up at the Dreher Park location.
