In addition to the ribbon cutting, Monday also saw a $50K donation to the Boys and Girls Club of Reedley. Photo by Ben Hensley

The Boys and Girls Club of Reedley celebrated a ribbon cutting ceremony on Monday, commemorating the grand opening of the new Boys and Girls Club, expanding the capacity, amenities and reach of the organization.

Late last year, the organization learned that they would need to find a new home after the City of Reedley needed the additional space used by the organization inside the community center. The program, which has served children ages six to 18 for more than a decade, found the new property, formerly a shared office that provided space for an insurance office and tax preparer.

The Boys and Girls Club of Reedley acquired the space on June 1, and completed extensive renovations to the building.

“We hoofed it,” said Diana Carbray, President and CEO of Boys and Girls Clubs of Fresno County. “We really moved trying to get it done.”

The renovations included the addition of a computer lab fully equipped with new computers, an arts and crafts room, an entertainment space including pool and air hockey tables, as well as a small kitchen and separate restroom facilities for staff and students.

Despite needing to relocate, the move came at an opportune time for the organization which had grown to 35 members and had outgrown its space at the community center – a space which consisted of one room and far fewer features and amenities compared to their new location.

When faced with the difficult decision of relocating or folding the organization, Carbray said the answer came from the impact the organization has had on the community and its support for the Boys and Girls Club.

“They actually ran out of space so we had to vacate and we had a choice [of] whether to open a new club or close down the club and we decided we wanted to stay in Reedley because it’s a really generous community and it’s really always been supportive.”

In addition to the ribbon cutting, a check for $50,000 was donated by Karen Musson, managing partner at GAR Bennett. The donation will go to pay for the building, the cost of which amounted to more than $400,000 after the purchase and renovations, according to Carbray.

“We have created lasting relationships with the kids, teens and their families in Reedley,” Carbray said. “The opening of a new Club signifies that we are here to stay.”