Boys and Girls Clubs of Larimer County to launch capital campaign for new Wellington site

Wellington Boys and Girls Club has a bright future ahead. In addition to a new director, Pedro Lopez, the club is looking forward to a brand-new 12,000-foot facility to be located on 9 acres of land recently purchased by the Boys and Girls Club. The site, known as the Thimmig Property, is adjacent to another 9 acres purchased separately by the town of Wellington. The property is immediately east of Eyestone Elementary School and Wellington Middle School.

Strategic planning is underway to initiate capital and maintenance campaigns according to Kathi Wright, executive director for Larimer County Boys and Girls Clubs. A club was built 12 years ago close to Lincoln Middle School in Fort Collins and there is a club in Loveland.

The new Wellington club will replace the current facility north of the Post Office, in Centennial Park. It will be smaller than its partner clubs in Larimer County, but will have plenty of room for a gymnasium, kitchen, education room, art room and a teen room, where older members can meet. Boys and Girls Clubs are part of a national organization open to everyone ages 6-18 for a $5 annual membership fee.

In cooperation with the Larimer County Food Bank, the clubs provide dinner during the school year and lunches in the summer to members. Wright said the cost to serve a member for a year is between $300 and $400, all money raised through grants and private and corporate donations.

Both local architect Chuck Mayhew, who has done preliminary drawings for the facility, and Wellington club director Lopez, were “club kids” when they were young. Lopez received a college scholarship through the organization. Before taking the job in Wellington, he worked with “club kids” in Greeley.