Sevier News Messenger Sevier County News and Opinion
The Boys & Girls Club of the Smoky Mountains will host a grand opening ribbon cutting ceremony for their new Pigeon Forge Branch on Thursday, Aug. 18, 2016 at 4 p.m. The ceremony will take place at 2456 Library Drive in Pigeon Forge, just behind the community center, and the public is encouraged to attend.
The City of Pigeon Forge has been instrumental in ensuring the Pigeon Forge Branch Boys & Girls Club would be a reality. The building is located on property leased through the City of Pigeon Forge. Mark Ross, chief professional officer for Boys & Girls Club, City of Pigeon Forge Mayor Wear, Boys & Girls Club Board President Michael McCroskey, and Campaign Chair Linda Ogle will all speak and help officially open the doors to the new Pigeon Forge Club.
The $2 million dollar facility is 15,000 square feet that includes a gymnasium, games room, teen center, learning center, technology lab, cultural arts center, industrial kitchen, and an outdoor pavilion. With the additional space Mark Ross stated, “We expect the new facility to increase membership by 50 percent.” The technology lab will have 12 computers and the learning center will provide homework assistance daily during the school year. The teen center will have a full time dedicated teen director who will oversee all programing for teens. The addition to the outdoor pavilion will enhance educational outdoor learning for all programing areas at the club.
“The citizens and business community of Pigeon Forge and Sevier County have been very generous in their support and with their contributions to build this new club and I could not be more happy,” Capital Campaign Chair and past Boys & Girls Club Board President Linda Ogle stated. Over 30 local businesses and individuals have contributed to the capital campaign building fund raising over $2 million dollars for the new club, which includes costs for construction, furniture and equipment.
“The Pigeon Forge Branch has been a dream for many years and we are so very appreciative to all those who have helped our dream become a reality,” said Ross.
