New Boys & Girls branch opening delayed until Nov. 8

By Ethan Hartley
Posted 9/28/17

By ETHAN HARTLEY Delays in securing a bid to install a new sprinkler system and various other interior and exterior construction work that remains to be completed has pushed off the grand opening of the new branch of the Warwick Boys & Girls Club at the

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New Boys & Girls branch opening delayed until Nov. 8

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Delays in securing a bid to install a new sprinkler system and various other interior and exterior construction work that remains to be completed has pushed off the grand opening of the new branch of the Warwick Boys & Girls Club at the Lloyd S. Cooper Building on Sandy Lane until November.

“To ensure all safety needs are being met and construction is complete, the Grand Opening of Boys & Girls Clubs of Warwick’s new, third branch for middle school youth is being moved from Oct. 3 to Wednesday, Nov. 8,” the club announced in a release on Friday.

A bid from AAA Sprinkler of Cranston to perform the sprinkler system work for an estimated $15,000 was shot down by the Council Finance Committee during its meeting on Sept. 6 due to insufficient information being provided in the request. At the next meeting on Sept. 18, the committee tabled the issue until the following meeting for Oct. 2, all but confirming that the center would not be ready for occupants on its original intended date.

“While work on this exciting new branch is being completed, we want to accommodate demand for activities and a safe place for young teens to go after school,” said Warwick Boys & Girls Club executive director Lara D’Antuono in the release. “For those families who planned on their teens going to the new branch in October, our Oakland Beach branch will be open to meet those needs, beginning Oct. 3rd until [the new branch] begins operations.”

The new branch is targeted towards providing educational and social programming for middle school aged children, who have lower attendance rates at such programs than their younger and older peers.

“It's unfortunate we’ve had to push back the opening for Cooper but I'm hopeful we can now take advantage of those extra weeks to get council approval for the things we need,” said Mayor Scott Avedisian, who said in a previous interview that he envisioned the center being a “one stop shop” for middle school students – accessible by just a short walk from Warwick Veterans Junior High School.

“Giving young teens options to thrive and have fun – that is the goal the new Boys & Girls Clubs of

Warwick branch,” the release continues. “The Club will provide a wide array of fun activities that foster creativity, STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and math) skill building, healthy lifestyles and self-expression.”

For more information or to register to attend the Nov. 8 Grand Opening, visit www.wbgclubs.org. People who already registered for the original Grand Opening do not need to register again. Those who cannot make the new date are asked to email Eleanor@wbgclubs.org, or call the Boys & Girls Club of Warwick at 467-4385.

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