Eyeing the finish
POST FALLS - The Boys and Girls Club of Kootenai County is in the home stretch toward offering programs under its own roof.
Construction on the nonprofit's 10,000-square-foot, $1.3 million facility on Mullan Avenue next to the Post Falls Library is on schedule and is expected to be finished in early December, said Ryan Davis, executive director.
"We should be in the building before the end of the year," said Davis, adding that contractor Polin and Young has done a "phenomenal" job of keeping the project on time.
The club's lease at the Post Falls Nazarene Church, the nonprofit's home base the past five years across from Mullan Trail Elementary, runs through the end of the year, allowing for a transition time to move in.
The club offers after-school and summer programs for about 500 students ages 6-18.
Construction is among multiple ongoing efforts gearing up for the club's opening.
Under a shared-use agreement between the nonprofit and the city, the city will pay the club $125,000 toward the gym construction cost and the city will be allowed to use the facility for recreation programs on the weekends and after hours in return.
Davis said the agreement, approved by the City Council on Tuesday night, is a win-win because it gives the city access to another much-needed gym and it helps the club pay for the gym.
"One thing that everybody understands is that there's a shortage of gym space in the schools," Davis said.
The funding will come from the city's parks impact fee account and represents half of the city's annual money for indoor facilities.
The agreement follows a ground lease between the city and club that was approved last February. The club leases the property from the city.
The shared-use agreement allows the city to have 166 hours of gym use per year in addition to the 300 hours under the ground lease.
The club will hold its sixth annual gala dinner fundraiser for programs and operations on Friday at The Coeur d'Alene Resort at 5:30 p.m. Cost is $65 per person and a limited number of tickets remain on sale.
The event includes a dinner with steak and grilled prawns, music by the classic rock band Rhythm Dawgs, auctions and a hosted beer and wine social hour.
The fundraiser is called "The Race is On: Building Kids' Futures" and attendees are encouraged to wear any racing attire.
Tickets can be purchased at www.bgc-northidaho.org, the Post Falls Chamber of Commerce, Sterling Bank branches in Coeur d'Alene at 1106 Sherman Ave. or 1233 W. Northwood Court., the Hayden branch at 8060 N. Cornerstone Drive or by calling 457-9089.