Boys & Girls Clubs of Hall County Breaks Ground on New Joseph F. Walters Club

Monday November 03, 2008 - With an anticipated completion date of fall, 2009, the new Club will continue Boys & Girls Clubs 54-year tradition of enabling all young people, especially those who need help the most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring and responsible citizens. The new Club will be able to serve more than 200 youth from the Memorial Park area. A one-year membership for youth ages 6-18, is just $25. “Based on the positive impact the existing Boys & Girls Clubs have on our community, the decision to add the Walters Club was not a difficult one,” said Jerome Yarbrough, CVO. “We hope to continue to expand our successful efforts with the Clubs here in Gainesville, because the programs truly work.”

“Five years ago, the board of directors recognizing the needs in this community, decided that we needed to expand our services,” stated Abb Hayes, BGCHC Past President and Campaign Committee member. “As he always does whenever there is a need in Hall County, Jim Walters stepped up to lead a capital campaign. As a result of Mr. Walters’ committee’s efforts, in 2009, we will open the Joseph F. Walters Club beside Lyman Hall School. The land for the Club was acquired, thanks in major part to a gift from the Junior League and as a result of the cooperation of the Hall County Board of Education. Jim Walters generously provided the lead gift for the new Club, a 10,000 square foot facility named in memory of his brother, Joseph F. Walters. At the Walters Club, we will be able to extend our services to thousands more children and youth.”

“The need for effective youth development programs has never been greater,” said Joe Ethier, CPO of BGCHC. “Our board, staff, and generous supporters have taken the initiative in reaching out to provide a positive place for more young people in Hall County.”

Once completed, the Walters Club will be a 10,000 square foot building consisting of 9 learning studios which will include homework help, arts, tech lab, dance studio and more. Plans are also underway to redesign and renovate additional athletic fields and playground for shared use with Lyman Hall Elementary School.