Community News

Boys and Girls Club break ground for new parking lot, outdoor expansion

PARKERSBURG - The Boys and Girls Club of Parkersburg celebrated the groundbreaking for its outdoor renovation project on Tuesday afternoon.

Phase one of the project includes a new parking lot, with construction commencing in the coming weeks.

In a release, CEO Darlene Murphy said the funding was due to former Senator Joe Manchin and Sen. Shelley Moore Capito-R, W.Va. and the West Virginia First Foundation. Additionally, the parking lot and other elements of the project will be placed on a parcel of land donated by Exxon Mobile.

"It's important for us to support the communities that we've been a part of, ... so we're proud to do it,” Joe Wong, senior commercial portfolio manager of Exxon Mobile, said. “This is an opportunity for something new and something different, and growth for the center."

Thomas Smith, a representative for Sen. Capito, shared remarks from Capito saying, "(At the Boys and Girls Club) young people are surrounded by caring adults who listen, encourage, and believe in their potential. ... The outdoor play area will build on that mission. It will give children a place to play, compete, and learn the value of teamwork while encouraging physical activity and healthy living."

Boys and Girls Club Board Chair Bob Newell said the project is estimated to cost between $2.2 to 3 million, but nearly $1 million has been secured.

Murphy said the construction of the parking lot will begin in the next few days, and is hopefully for the lot to be completed by spring.

"Anyone who has visited our Club knows the parking situation isn’t ideal. The new design will allow for smoother and safer traffic flow and ample parking for club families, Parkersburg South swimmers and other community members when they come to visit,” Murphy said. “We’re so grateful to our friends at Exxon for donating the land, and to the federal and local government officials, especially Parkersburg Mayor Tom Joyce, who believe in the mission of the club and helped secure funding.”

The renovation will also include a "Dream Court", including a pickleball and tennis court, playground and outdoor learning pavilion, that was partially funded by the Nancy Lieberman Foundation.

Murphy said, "We're hoping by spring (of next year) to have the rest of our funding or be pretty close to it, so that we can start the rest of the expansion in the spring and maybe by the end of the summer have it ready for kids to use."

“As our numbers continue to grow, having additional space outdoors will be useful and beneficial for our members and the community. Our kids are always our number one priority, and giving them an outdoor space they can be proud of is so important to us,” she said.

Sophie Wheeler can be reached at swheeler@newsandsentinel.com.