The Grand opening for the new Pete Nance Boys & Girls Club of North Central Georgia and ribbon cutting was held on two separate evenings, June 9th and 10th. Both events were well attended, and the new facility drew rave reviews. On Saturday, June 12, an Open House for the public was held to introduce the new building to members, parents, and the public. In two hours, well over two hundred people meandered through the 18,500 sq ft facility and its unique features. In addition to the enormous gym with a basketball court and scoreboards, a games room, learning, and arts center, a Teen center with a recording studio and computer lab, plus the Novelis Lab and common areas. The most frequent comment was “AMAZING!”
PNBCG new facility symbolizes people who love what they do, Bob Mackey, Boys & Girls Clubs of North Central Georgia, shared at the June 9 ribbon-cutting ceremony. “Gathered in this room are individuals who love giving back and desire to see our youth succeed,” he said. “This Club will be here for years to come doing exactly that.”
The events coordinator, Debbie Burns, expressed her pleasure with the turnout and thanks to all those who helped plan, organize, and Staff all three showcases. Food was prepared and served by Board member Jacqueline Evans, much to everyone’s delight. Board Chair Mike O’Neal expressed his pride and satisfaction in the outcome, noting that Landmark Construction was excellent to work with on the project. He said that one of Landmark’s superintendents was on a ladder windexing the new glass backboards in the gym right before the grand opening, demonstrating their dedication to every detail. Corporate Board Chair Michael Tompkins also shared that the fundraising efforts went beyond expectations. He appreciated Bank South supporting the Club with a line of credit that, fortunately, will be far less needed than initially anticipated.
On June 9, Fellow Alumni, DJ Wright, spoke about the Club and how it shaped his life to those gathered. “PNBGC believed in me,” he said. “Every day, I would come into the Club sharing how I wanted to be a professional basketball player, and every day, the Club was sewing into me ways to reach for my dreams. Today, I’ve made the dean’s list each semester of my college journey, and I’m proud to say I’ll be serving as the gym instructor inside this amazing facility. I want the youth in front of us tonight to always know they have someone on their side. I want to give back to them what you have given to me.”
The Club name remains the same, but the new facility is now located on the “Liz and Claude Grizzard Campus.” So named to honor Mr. Grizzard’s 60 plus years of volunteer service to the Boys and Girls Club and his support for the Pete Nance Club. Former Club Director and current North Central Georgia Clubs CEO Bob Mackey acknowledged Claude’s dedication and personal inspiration.
Club Director Stacy McClendon is excited to open the new building to members on Monday, June 14. His Staff was signing up new members during the open house. Destiny McClendon (Youth of the Year for Georgia) demonstrated her poise and personality speaking to Congressman Jody Hice and his wife Dede during the open house and her basketball skills shooting hoops on the new court!
Throughout the events, Mr. O’Neal noted that the first donation was received in September 2019, and the capital campaign reached its goal by December 2020, 16 months, in the middle of a pandemic! And the first sign of construction was installing a port o let in August 2020, and just ten months later, the building is now open for our youth. It was a “total team effort,” and he thanked all those involved, especially the generous donors who supported the “Building Solid Foundations” capital campaign.
To learn more about Pete Nance Boys & Girls Club, visit www.bgcncg.com/petenance.
