Building Futures Update – October 12, 2016

With demolition nearly complete, we are happy to report that we have begun construction of some of the new additions that will be built at Charles Gardner Lane! We are still hoping to raise an additional $2 million to complete the campaign and ensure that we can have the most up to date technology, furniture and equipment when we open in late 2017.  You can help us reach this goal by donating today at www.buildingfuturescampaign.org.

Demolition continues in the swimming pool.  With the exterior, front facing wall as well as the deck having been removed, the demolition crew is now working on removing the tile from the “hole” itself.  In the coming weeks, we will begin working to repair and replace portions of the roof before construction of the new swimming pool begins.

Demolition is underway in the swimming pool itself.

Behind the building, soil testing is taking place and the site is being excavated for what will be the new two story addition in the rear of the facility. This section of the building will house the new gymnasium as well as the childcare center, fitness room, classrooms, offices and more.

Foundation work at the site of the former boys locker room, where it met the former gym.

Blocks being removed at the janitor’s closet and Program Director’s office to make way for a new wall that will join to the gym.

In the front of the building, the foundation footings for the new addition have been poured. This new expanded section will be one story and will feature our new cafeteria, lobby, office space and commercial grade kitchen. By looking at the new footings, you can see the size of this addition.

New foundation footings in the front of the Clubhouse.

Remember, every donation makes a difference and helps us build this great future home for the youth and teens of Woburn and the surrounding communities. Please consider supporting the Building Futures Campaign today. And, be sure to check back each week for a new construction update!

Building Futures Update – October 5, 2016

Demolition is nearing completion at Charles Gardner Lane.  The gymnasium has been completely removed, including the concrete slab. We are very much looking forward to our new gymnasium that will be twice the size and able to accommodate many more fun fitness activities for our members!

The site where the gym used to be, in the rear of the building. This will also be the site of the newly constructed gymnasium.

The swimming pool demolition is also underway.  The deck has been completely removed, down to the stone.  Later this week the tile in the “hole” itself will also be removed and pool construction and renovation will begin within the next month.

Demolition of the pool deck has been completed. This view is from the parking lot side.

Interior demolition of the gamesroom, offices, teen center, locker rooms and all other spaces has also been completed.  Site work in the front of the building has begun, where an addition that will include a new kitchen, cafeteria, lobby, office space and more will be built.

The former swimming pool office. Once renovated, this space will continue to serve as the aquatics administrative office.

The former Program Director’s Office, known in more recent years as the AmeriCorps office.

A view into the Club from the former girls locker room.

Your support is still needed to bring this project to fruition. Although we have begun construction, the campaign is not finished.  We still need to raise at least $2 million to ensure that we can have the most up to date technology, furniture and equipment for our new facility. Please consider supporting the Building Futures Campaign today. Every donation counts, no matter the size. Thank you in advance for your generous donation!

Building Futures Update – September 28, 2016

The construction of the future expanded & improved Jamie McKeown Boys & Girls Club facility on Charles Gardner Lane has begun. The abatement of hazardous materials has already been completed, and demolition is well underway. Over the next few weeks, we expect that demolition will be completed and excavation will begin for the new gymnasium.

As you can see above, the gymnasium at the rear of the building is being completely demolished. A new gymnasium that is a bit longer and twice as wide will be built in roughly the same location. Below you can see the site with the gymnasium completely removed, at the location where it joined up with what used to be the boys’ locker room.

Demolition of the gym, with the floor of the former Arts & Education Center (2nd floor) still in tact above the former boys’ locker room.

Another view of the gym demolition. The second floor has now been removed and the concrete slab is beginning to be demolished.

At the swimming pool, the front facing wall has been demolished to make way for a new set of stadium seating that will accommodate more spectators at the competitions of our Lucky’s Lobsters Swim Team! The pool will soon be completely excavated down to dirt to make way for an additional lane for our swimmers.

The swimming pool demolition is also underway. This is the site of the former exterior wall that faced the parking lot.

The central part of the Clubhouse has been completely gutted, with nearly all walls removed. A bigger gamesroom, expanded offices, and a more welcoming and secure lobby will all be part of the renovated central part of the building.

A roof deck and some structural beams are all that remain of the gamesroom.

We are thrilled to report that at this time the project is both on schedule and on budget. We continue to be thankful for our project partners Maggiore Construction, Design Development Solutions and Century Bank. We’d also like to take this opportunity to remind our friends and the general public that Charles Gardner Lane is a dangerous construction site that is not suitable for visitors.

Your support is still needed to make this project a reality. Please consider supporting the Building Futures Campaign today. Thank you in advance for your generous donation!

It’s Official, Construction has Begun!

Officers, donors, project contributors, Club staff and friends of the James L. McKeown Boys & Girls Club of Woburn gathered on Thursday, September 8, 2016 to officially break ground on the long awaited renovation & expansion project at Charles Gardner Lane. Immediate Past President of the Board of Directors, Shaun Briere served as the emcee for the ceremonious event.

The small crowd also heard from the Club’s President Michael Donaghey, Mayor Scott Galvin, City Council President Richard Haggerty, and State Representatives James Dwyer and Jay Kaufman. Also offering words of encouragement were Executive Director Joel Swets of the Cummings Foundation and Denise McKeown, wife of the late James L. McKeown for whom the organization has been named.

The groundbreaking event was also a wonderful opportunity to thank our leadership donors:  Cummings Foundation, Mr. & Mrs. John Flaherty, Winning Home Inc., the Schelzi Family, and the Tully Family. This event also gave us an opportunity to thank all of those who have worked diligently to bring the project to fruition. Project partners include The Maggiore Companies, the general contractor, Michael Pascavage of Design & Development Solutions, the project architect, and Century Bank, lender and supporter of the project.

To read more about this great day for the organization, check out this story in the Woburn Daily Times Chronicle.

Special thanks to photographer Joe Brown for capturing this important event for the Jamie McKeown Boys & Girls Club!

City Council President Richard Haggerty and Aldermen Lindsay Higgins and Edward Tedesco join the Club’s Executive Director, Julie Gage, at the groundbreaking.

The delegation of Woburn’s State Representatives, Jim Dwyer and Jay Kaufman, address the McKeown Boys & Girls Club groundbreaking.

The Tully Family has been involved in the Club for decades. They are a leadership donor for the project. Pictured here are Mark, Ruth, and Scott.

President of the Club, Michael Donaghey, is joined by Denise McKeown, Molly McKeown, and Mr. Bill Cummings of the Cummings Foundation, the project’s lead donor.

While the organization has raised a significant portion of our $8.5 million goal, donations are still needed to see the project through completion. Please consider making a donation today!