Residents who have long valued the role of the Gingellville Community Center as a hub of the community can take solace.
As of last Thursday, the venerable building on Waldon Road is the new home of the Orion/Oxford chapter of the Boys & Girls Club of Southeastern Michigan ? a testament to the facility’s continued usefulness.
The sale of the former community center became official in December, opening the doors for the Boys & Girls Club to take occupancy.
The club purchased the building and property for $225,000 after the organization decided not to extend a lease agreement with the owner of the Ehman Center in downtown Lake Orion.
Boys & Girls Club Director Tim Dougan says the new building offers physical advantages and lower operational costs.
Under the terms of the lease agreement with the Ehman Center, the club paid a monthly rental fee of $2,800, plus a percentage of the building’s utility costs, said Dougan.
‘The big advantage is that we own this building,? he said. ‘It’s an up-to-date facility with room to expand,? adding that the club would like to eventually construct a gymnasium at the site.
‘It’s something we’re looking at, depending on getting the funding,? said Dougan, who has been with the local Boys & Girls Club for the past six years.
Besides the new building’s wide-open floor plan, which allows for easier supervision of youngsters, there is parking space for more than 200 vehicles and room outdoors for basketball, volleyball, street hockey and horseshoes.
Inside, the children can use the computer lab, games area, arts and crafts and a cooking club, where the youngsters can learn to make simple menu items.
Dougan said the Boys & Girls Club has a paid staff of three full-time and two part-time employees.
Parents and older students can apply for volunteer positions to help with supervision.
‘We do background checks on all applicants, Dougan added, stressing that supervision is the key to the program’s success.
‘We feel it’s extremely important that young people have a place to go between the hours of 3-8 p.m.,? he said. ‘That’s when they are often unsupervised and can get into trouble.?
Dougan said Boys & Girls Club membership is open to any child ages 6-18, and regardless of whether they reside in Orion Township. Registration is $30 a year per child.
‘We are servicing about 300 children a year,? said Dougan. ‘We hope to increase that number at this location, especially in the summer, which is our busiest time.?
The Boys & Girls Club is located at 1801 Waldon Road.
For questions or further information, call Dougan or other staff members at (248)365-5000.