A new home for Boys and Girls Club

by Libby James

Wellington Boys and Girls Club has had a new home on their wish list for nearly two decades. They outgrew the converted park shelter that has been their home a long time ago. In a 2,600-square-foot space, they have been serving 55 Wellington children ages 6 through 18 with a whole range of after-school and summer-long programs. Professionally-trained staff provides dynamic programs in a safe and positive atmosphere that nurtures independence, creativity and leadership skills for an annual membership fee of $20. The program is open from 2:30 to 6 p.m. on school days and between 7:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. in the summer. But the club cannot accommodate every child who wishes to attend.

That will change in the next few months when the club moves to new quarters in the former Wellington Community Church. Only a few blocks from its current location, the club’s new home has 10,000 square feet. “The best thing about the new quarters is that there will now be space for the 30-some children who have been on the waiting list,” said Kyle Jackson, executive director of the Wellington unit. Capacity will jump to 135. There is a spacious gymnasium, and special rooms will be set aside for technology, games, cooking and a teen hangout.

Margaret Bachrach, vice president for development and communication for Boys and Girls Clubs of Larimer County, said, “We’ve worked for a long time toward raising $4 million to build a new home in Wellington, but it never happened.”

Then one day, the stars aligned and hopes and dreams became reality. Wellington resident Jamie Rice, Boys and Girls Club executive director for Larimer County Kaycee Headrick and Wellington Community Church Pastor, Russ Brewer, started talking. Brewer’s church had outgrown its home and had plans to build a new church. Headrick was determined to find a way to provide more space for the Boys and Girls Club.

Sage Homes LLC of Northern Colorado put the icing on the cake by donating half a million dollars, which, along with the contributions of several other donors, made the project possible. Saunders Heath Construction of Denver is now retrofitting the church with plans for completion by June when the day-long program is set to begin.

Sage Homes have been building semi-custom homes in Northern Colorado since 2000, many of them in Wellington. Owners Daren and Ronna Roberson wanted to give back to the community. When they learned of the Boys and Girls Club’s need, it seemed the perfect fit. They are happy to be helping to support youth in Wellington.