Suffolk Construction's project team joined Mayor Thomas Menino and members of the Boys & Girls Club of Boston to celebrate the re-opening of the George Robert White Youth Development Center/Blue Hill Club. Suffolk completed a renovation and expansion of the club to better serve at-risk youth and their families.
"This new facility will surely become a safe haven where children can grow, develop and reach their full potential," said John Fish, CEO of Suffolk.
Following the $7 million expansion, the facility can now accommodate 350 club members each day and features a new teen center and a pre-teen lounge. The club also has a rebuilt swimming pool − now enclosed in a glass atrium with a roof that opens electronically to the sky, a music studio, a fitness center alongside the gymnasium that now features a climbing wall and ropes course, and an upgraded commercial kitchen to serve more than 200 meals weekly through Kids Café. Outside, basketball courts look new with their resurfaced playing area. Nearby gardens provide an opportunity for urban youth to try gardening.
As part of its work on the Blue Hill Club, Suffolk expanded and renovated the building from 25,854 s/f to 44,507 s/f.
During the past year, the club operated regular programs while under construction. The work was completed on budget in July.