Grant Announced For Boys & Girls Club

July 29, 2004

NASHVILLE - Governor Phil Bredesen announced Friday a $500,000 ARC grant for the Boys & Girls Club of Scott County.

The grant comes as the organization prepares to begin construction on a $4 million facility in south Oneida.

State Representative Les Winningham (D - Huntsville) and State Senator Tommy Kilby (D - Wartburg) joined Boys & Girls Club of Scott County Executive Director Robert Wright at the club's Alberta Street/Verdun Road construction site on Monday to formally announce the grant.

"I want to commend Robert Wright and the entire Boys & Girls Club organization for their effort in seeing this project become a reality," Kilby said. "There is nothing more precious than our children and this is a good example of what we can do for our youth."

Winningham echoed Kilby's sentiments.

"It's a very clear indication that when folks work together locally, specifically Senator Kilby, Governor Bredesen, folks who take an interest in promoting our children, you get results."

Winningham called it a "good day" and also commended the county and municipal governments for their efforts.

In addition to the $500,000 grant, Winningham said that more money is expected to be committed to the project over the next several weeks.

The Town of Oneida recently committed $2.1 million to the project. That money is expected to be repaid by the Boys & Girls Club.

Site preparation continued on Monday, meanwhile, as crews from Huntsville's J&M Construction put the finishing touches on their work. Site preparation was expected to be completed within a couple of days, with the start of construction to follow soon thereafter.

Once completed, the location will house a state-of-the-art facility that will include indoor recreation areas as well as multiple athletic fields.

Currently, the Boys & Girls Club is operating from sites at the Oneida Elementary School and Huntsville Elementary School.

news@ihoneida.com

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