The Boys & Girls Club of the Golden Triangle is making some big changes following a generous donation from the Mullen Family 36 Foundation.
The club was presented with a $25,000 check on Saturday at the Prairie Arts Festival to go toward opening a new location in West Point and finding a new home for the club in Starkville.
The Boys & Girls Club of the Golden Triangle CEO Nadia Colom said a timeline has not been set for when the new location will open or when the Starkville club will move, but both plans are being discussed.
The Starkville branch has been located on Lynn Lane for nearly 13 years, and the location allows the children to use McKee Park and the Starkville Sportsplex for exercise. However, Colom said the organization plans to look for a larger building.
"We have a constant demand for more and more children," Colom said. "We get phone calls daily about children who want to be here and we just don't have the physical space to take them."
Limited parking has made it a challenge for the club, as well. The club's work-study program and the number of volunteers who come to mentor children has grown over the years. The parking lot at the current location is too small to accommodate the 140 children and 50 to 70 volunteers who come to the club each day.
"We have several meetings lined up next week with the city and they are interested in helping us find our way," Colom said. "We love the possibility of staying near Lynn Lane, but it just depends on what opportunities may be available."
Currently, the Boys & Girls Club of the Golden Triangle only has locations in Starkville and Columbus. Colom said the club is looking forward to opening a location in West Point and serving all three cities of the Golden Triangle.
"This is the beginning of a process that will require the community's support," Colom said. "We're excited and we'll be sharing more information about that whole campaign to help us find our new home."