MORGANTOWN — The Mountaineer Boys & Girls Club Board of Directors ordered a “temporary” closure of club sites pending “important operational improvements,” effective immediately.
This according to a statement issued by the non-profit early Wednesday afternoon.
The statement reads, “We realize the inconvenience this closure may create for our Club families and we are working with our community to do our best to accommodate members at this time. “Our commitment to the well-being of the youth we serve is unwavering, and we anticipate our Club to re-open for our after-school care.”
The Mountaineer Boys & Girls Club operates out of the former Woodburn School building, on Fortney Street. The building is owned by the city of Morgantown.
The Dominion Post reached out to representatives of the Mountaineer Boys & Girls Club and the city of Morgantown seeking additional information. These messages were not returned in time for this report.
According to information provided during an April report on improvements at the Woodburn facility, the Mountaineer Boys & Girls Club has more than 200 kids enrolled.
One of those kids is Taryn Moser’s son. Moser attended Wednesday’s Monongalia County Commission meeting seeking answers after learning of the situation when she went to pick him up on Monday afternoon
“I, personally, have a mother who can take care of my son, but this is a great program. This allows kids from all socioeconomic backgrounds to be there,” Moser said, fighting back tears. “It makes me kind of upset talking about this. I’ve called the parent advocate and I’ve gotten no response. I know it’s only Wednesday, but we, as working parents, have to plan. Right now, we’re left without resources.”
Commission President Tom Bloom told Moser the commission didn’t have any additional information about the club’s decision and was awaiting Wednesday’s announcement from its board of directors.
Bloom called the announcement, “very troubling.”
“The Boys and Girls Club is an integral part of our community. I hope that we can find other avenues for these children who use the facilities and for the parents who depend on them,” Bloom said. “This is a major concern for all of us.”
The organization pays the city $1,016 monthly, plus half of the utility costs for use of the Woodburn space. The building was closed as an elementary school in 2010. In 2013, the City of Morgantown purchased the structure and four-acre property for $490,000.
The city contracted with Mills Group for $58,500 in February to help turn about $350,000 in Community Development Block Grant funds into more accessible bathrooms and entry ways.
It is unclear whether the decision was tied to construction or conditions at the Woodburn facility, but, according to Moser, the club planned to use Westwood Middle School temporarily during renovations.
The letter posted at the club on Monday explained, “The Mountaineer Boys and Girls club will not be able to open July 16-19,” and later, “Unfortunately, will not be able to open at Westwood Middle School on Wednesday.”
It goes on to state the club will confirm opening at the Westwood location as soon as possible via its website. TWEET @DominionPostWV
