The Crowsnest Pass Boys and Girls Club has helped make a difference in the lives of local children for the past decade. In September of 2009 the club was forced to close its doors after funding issues and alleged financial mismanagement on the part of a former employee.
Now, with the club’s annual general meeting to be held at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 17, at the M.D. McEachern, the club is hoping to recruit new board members as they plan to reopen in 2010.
“We currently have eight board members,” says president June Vastenhout, “with three of those stepping down after the AGM. We really could use three more, as it is ideal to have a board consisting of eight members.”
Vastenhout says that the club has paid off all of its Revenue Canada debt and all other outstanding bills. They have a new lease with the municipality at the MDM, she says, which contains a payment plan for the remaining rent owed.
She says that they have received some of their funding for 2010 and are seeking additional sources. The club will soon be advertising for four summer program leaders, and they hope to be open again in time to deliver summer programming for local children.

“Since our demise,” says Vastenhout, “the club has received unconditional and exceptional support from this community.” She says that Shar Lazzarotto and Carrie Morency of Community Futures provided especially valuable and ongoing support by sorting through the club’s financial records and providing them with a realistic picture of where they were.
“I feel the Boys and Girls Club is an essential element of this community,” says Vastenhout. “We serve to better the lives of the most vulnerable and needy citizens of our community, young children and youth. We will not stop until we are able to open the doors again to those children that need this organization.”
She says that the club’s future depends on having a full board. “It is essential for the club’s future operations,” she says.
“We will set up a few crucial committees to ensure that the business management of our organization can proceed in such a way that we will never experience this type of situation again,” says Vastenhout. “We are truly ready to embrace a new beginning, and welcome any individuals with fresh energy and fresh ideas.”
The AGM will be held in Meeting Room 11, upstairs at the MDM, at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 17.