by Richard Uhlhorn
The much anticipated opening of the Lake Chelan Boys and Girls Club at the Community Center culminated into a huge gathering of interested parents and Valley residents along with numerous youngsters who will benefit from the facility.
Walking into the club is immediately awe inspiring. It’s an upbeat, electronically driven space for kids to enjoy from computers to gaming stations to an actual podcast place. The space is open, bright and stimulating.
Numerous luminaries were on hand to celebrate what has been a long process for Chelan to the current space that will help local youth and teens reach their full potential.
Mayor McCardle’s opening statement was that boy’s and girl’s clubs were really personal for her having been involved with one growing up. “I’m very excited to see this as a part of our community,” she said.
McCardle explained that the city started the process of collaboration with the Boys and Girls Club in March of 2024. Brooke Issac, chairman of the Community Center board stated that it took partnerships to make this come together and create a hub that will benefit quality of life in the Lake Chelan Valley. She thanked Maribel Cruz for all of her work. “There are so many things she has done we don’t know about.” Cruz is the center’s director.
The Club is the 27th in the state and according to executive director Bill Tsoukalas, the Chelan facility fills a gap in the current system. Brewster has had a club for 10 years and there are three located on the Colville Confederated Tribe lands. The Spokane Tribe also has one.
“We can’t do this alone,” stated Tsoukalas. He introduced the Unit’s Director, Angela Collins who has worked hard behind the scenes as the club came together. It has operated since last October with a successful youth basketball program.
Collins admitted that she initially felt a bit of hesitancy taking on the job, but is now fully committed to the task. She introduced her staff to the crowd.
Tsoukalas, who has been at the helm of Washington’s Boys and Girls Clubs said, “We are looking at Chelan for a long-time partnership. It’s a great place to be. The support of this has been overwhelming. I’m so excited.”
According to Collins, Monday’s Grand Opening served as a soft opening of the spectacular facility. It will begin accepting walk-in child care for children from the first grade through sixth grade.
They are also working on three weeks of camps in August.
During the school year, the club will provide child care before and after school with programs beginning at 6 a.m and ending at 6 p.m.
If you haven’t had a chance to visit, check it out.
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