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Boys & Girls Club of Fremont County seeks to buy Macon Avenue post office building – Canon City Daily Record

Online Niel October 31, 2024

If all the pieces fall into place at the right time, the Boys & Girls Club of Fremont County hopes to acquire the Post Office building at 505 Macon Ave. in the near future.

Located at 129 N. Fourth St., the Boys & Girls Club has a for sale sign on its building, but rest assured the Club isn’t closing its doors, it’s just ready to open a new one.

CEO Eric Thompson said the Post Office has a contract with the Club, but he reminds the community that the proposed purchase is not a done deal. It is conditional on the sale of the Strada Patra building, which is currently listed for $582,500.

“A couple of different factors motivated us to start moving away from where we are currently and get a bigger place to have everything under one roof,” Thompson said. “… Right now, it’s kind of a Hail Mary.”

Jeff and Connie Mueller, former owners of the Fourth Street building, leased the Boys & Girls Club facility for many years and supported the club, Thompson said. The couple collected rent from the Club for many years and donated a significant portion right back.

The club entered into a two-year purchase agreement with the Muellers and completed the sale in February after receiving a $500,000 infrastructure grant from the Colorado Opioid Reduction Council.

The building on Strada Patra consists of more than 6,300 square meters, with a parking lot and an outdoor terrace right in the center of the city. The Macon Avenue property is approximately 13,000 square feet.

Moving to 505 Macon Ave. it allows for easy access to Macon Plaza and the Cañon City Public Library, but also removes the hesitation some parents may feel about the club’s location so close to establishments that serve alcohol.

Still, Thompson said staff members are outside with the kids while they wait for pick-up, so they’re not alone.

“It’s still safe, but we want to get rid of the perception of being near bars and nightclubs,” board member Rachelle Dettner said.

On June 6, 2011, the Boys & Girls Club of Fremont County opened its doors to Cañon City middle school youth, with six children in attendance. Today, the year-round club provides after-school care for 5-12 year olds at Cañon Exploratory School Monday through Friday and all day on Fridays when there is no school. Teen Clubs are from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM on Friday and Saturday nights, and the After School Club for youth ages 13 and up is open Monday through Friday at 129 N Fourth St.

“We provide all evidence-based programming,” Thompson said. “We offer a structured environment. This is not a Romper Room, not even from the 5 year level – there is homework help, there is STEM and art and all these evidence-based programs from National that we have access to that teach us social/emotional well-being. , self-confidence, life skills, how to deal with bullies – lots of very valuable, useful and applicable skills for young people.”

He said parents are starting to realize that staff do more than just play ball with the kids after school, which could explain the Club’s steady growth.

There are currently 307 registered members, not including guests. The club sees about 450-500 kids come through the door annually.

There are currently four full-time employees, including Thompson, and nine part-time employees.

More youth means more staff, extended hours and a bigger facility. The board considered expanding to the current building, but the estimated cost was $2 million. The building at 505 Macon Ave. it is listed for $1,335,000.

Dettner reminds the audience that there are two separate pots of money from which the club operates. One is for the actual operating costs and the other is marked for the physical structure only.

Funds for the proposed new facility are not a problem as the Club uses grants and other means of funding.

“Operating costs is where we need support from the community to keep the doors open, to keep teenagers off the streets, to give parents after-school options for their younger kids — or their older kids,” he said. Thompson said.

The club annually solicits funds from its donors, community members and businesses for operations, events and activities. The club does not receive funding from the national Boys & Girls Club organization.

Fremont Center for the Arts currently leases the Post Office but the lease expires at the end of December. Its board is looking for its new permanent home. The board has been in contact with Fremont County officials regarding financial support and will bring a formal “inquiry” to Cañon City on Monday. UnbridledACTS, which owns the post office, is hosting a matching fund for FCA as they transition to a new location. UnbridledACTS will match $1 for $1 up to $25,000 for a total goal of $50,000 by December.

To see the full list of programs and volunteer opportunities available at the Boys & Girls Club of Fremont County, or to learn how to donate to the Club, visit their website at call them at 719-345-4038 or email [email protected].

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Boys & Girls Club of Fremont County seeks to buy Macon Avenue post office building – Canon City Daily Record

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Boys & Girls Club of Fremont County seeks to buy Macon Avenue post office building – Canon City Daily Record

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