Boys and Girls and Chastain cut ribbon

Community, News

As of Tuesday, December 7, 2010, the Gilmer County Three Rivers Boys & Girls Club new facilities connected with the Gilmer County Civic Center are officially open for use, adjacent to the Lion’s Club fairgrounds on Old Highway 5.

A large group of children, including the seven who’ve been members since the original 2007 opening, extended a red ribbon from end to end of the new building’s reception area as the current Gilmer County Chairman Commissioner Mark Chastain commemorated the opening with the customary act of cutting the ribbon.The facilities currently serve 45 kids but now have the capacity to serve around 150 with the new additions.

Chastain commented that the facility, while costly and time consuming, now gives the county a more suitable option for after school care. Whereas prior to the center’s opening there was only one location serving this community need.

The facility is quite spectacular, boasting several rooms to help kids develop healthy lifestyles, learning skills, social skills, and to have fun. All of the rooms were funded by generous donations from Aaron’s, Home Depot, Faith Hope and Charity, and many other local sponsors.

The Aaron’s learning center in particular offers state-of-the-art safe-guarded computers with wireless connectivity where the kids must devote their first hour at the center completing homework. Counselors at the club will have open lines of communication with parents and teachers to help kids stay on task and ensure their educational success.

The children present at the open house and ribbon cutting ceremony were eager to show off their new facility. As soon as I walked in the door a child took my hand and gave me an in-depth tour of all the amenities including his personal favorite, the recreation room, which included a flat screen TV, Nintendo Wii and Xbox 360, all donated by Aaron’s. And, as I left a young girl attending the door handed me a hand-drawn thank you card, for visiting the center.

The kids will also have full use of the county recreational center’s facilities including the gym connected to the club in the afternoon during the afternoon.

With the connection the new civic center has created with the Boys & Girls Club, it will make a significant impact on the future of Gilmer County’s kids. But, the center also creates an opportunity to bring business and revenue to the county in the form of larger company expos or retreats.

Chastain indicated that the Gilmer County Chamber of Commerce is working to market the county as a scenic and cost-effective possible alternative destination for conventions, considering how close the new facility is to East Ellijay’s major restaurants and lodging options.

For more general information visit their website or call the center at 706.276.CLUB (2582).

For fund-raising and partnership information contact Marketing Director Patti Pearson at 706.502.4233.

For volunteer and membership information contact Unit Director Jan Day at 706.669.7740.

Back to Top