2013 looking like a busy year
for the Boys and Girls Club
LINDSAY GOSS
Pass Herald Reporter
In the past, the Crowsnest Boys and Girls Club have had their fair share of struggles, trials and tribulations.
“A lot of people have been hearing about the programs, but in order to make all that work, there is a cost involved,” said Scott Warris, President of the Crowsnest Boys and Girls Club. Warris has been involved with the Boys and Girls club for three years, starting in March of 2010. The club, which has been part of the Crowsnest community for a few years, has had ups and downs, and has even been shut down several times due to a lack of funding.
“The club ran pretty good but there have been some challenges that we have faced due to a lack of funding,” he said. Warris explained that a couple of years ago, the club was unable to receive grants and necessary funding and in turn, programs needed to be shut down, namely the after school programs the club put on.
“After school programs were not run last year due to financial problems,” Warris said. But we have recovered from that time and now receive the grants and fundraising we need to keep going.”
In May of 2012, Nicole Pearse was hired as programs director of the club. “Nicole is an outdoors person, which is great for the Boys and Girls Club,” Warris said, adding that TV and computers are not encouraged at the club and as much time spent outdoors is one of the goals of the club. Cross-country skiing, mountain biking and tobogganing are just a few of the activities the club has had fun with this winter alone. Warris explained that when the club resumed last spring after briefly decommissioning due to lack of funds, part of the budget was not only to find new funders, but to also have a new budget. Space in the lower level of theBlairmore Library was given to the club in October 2012, and the club transferred from their previous location at MDM.
“Transferring really cut the leasing cost,” said Warris. In addition Isabelle Sellon School give the Boys and Girls Club space for after school programs. “We work very close with the ISS school board and are grateful for what they have given us,” said Warris.
Recently, the Crowsnest Cross-Country Ski Club, in collaboration with Lethbridge Community Foundation funded equipment, including 25 sets of skis. The Cross-Country Ski Club also arranged funding through Cross Country Ski Canada to pay for a coach. “We had about 25 kids sign up for that program and its so far going great,” said Warris. This is the first year the Crowsnest Boys and Girls Club has had a cross-country ski program.
In addition to the help Crowsnest Cross Country Ski Club and Lethbridge Community Foundation has done for the club, there has been a lot of support from the community and corporate companies. Warris said that Teck has donated $25,000 for after school programs and annual funding from FCSS of $20,000 is given as well.
A casino put on the Boys and Girls Club this June is expected around $30,000 and other fundraising plans are in the works for the club. “I’m very happy with the financial position of the club and sustainability,” said Warris. “We hope the support will continue year after year.”
The main after school program is for children in grades kindergarten to grade six. The club also has full day programs on PD days and holidays.
In addition to the numerous outdoor activities the club engages in, kids also have the opportunity to do arts and crafts and play games with fellow club members.
The Crowsnest Boys and Girls Club Annual General Meeting is coming up on Monday March 11 at 7 p.m. and people from the public are invited to attend.
