Boys & Girls Club Of Greenwich Breaks Ground On Clubhouse Expansion & Renovation

GREENWICH, CT — With the ceremonial plunge of several shovels into the ground on Monday morning, the Boys & Girls Club of Greenwich (BGCG) marked the beginning of its $22 million clubhouse expansion and renovation project.

The Greenwich community gathered in front of the club at 4 Horseneck Lane for a brief groundbreaking ceremony that featured several elected officials, including Gov. Ned Lamont, club leaders, and some club kids.

"Today marks a significant milestone in our commitment to building great futures for the youth of Greenwich. Renovating and expanding our Club is of paramount importance as it serves as a beacon of hope and opportunity for countless young people in our community," said BGCG CEO Cristina Vittoria.

"Today, we break ground not only on this physical structure but on the promise of endless possibilities, growth, and transformative experiences for the young people who call this place their home away from home," Vittoria added.

Founded in 1910 and built in the 1930s, BGCG’s clubhouse has served thousands of young people over the course of its history. This represents the club's first major renovation project in 20 years.

BGCG Board Chair Eileen Tang spoke about some of the highlights of the project on Monday.

The 10,000-square-foot addition and expansion of the clubhouse includes:

• Enhancing the building’s entry, including an elongated drop-off and pick-up area, with a secure vestibule and increased security features throughout the facility
• Installing new turf, secure fencing, and amphitheater-style seating in the field
• Creating a lobby Welcome Center that features a seating area for parents
• Increasing and upgrading space for the Teen Center to include break out rooms for studying and tutoring as well as a College & Workforce Readiness Center to ensure post-high school success
• Building a new gym that features a regulation-size court for basketball, volleyball and other activities
• Updating and converting the old gym for dance/fitness and theater space
• Expanding academic and STEAM instructional space
• Making additional upgrades to the Club’s infrastructure, such as plumbing, electrical, HVAC, and information technology systems

"On behalf of the board, we are excited about the expanded programming that will come with these spaces," Tang said. "We see mentorship programs that will ignite passions, build confidence, and instill integrity, kindness, and perseverance. We envision a nurturing environment where young minds will thrive, creativity will be unleashed, and friendships will be forged."

The project cost was helped by $6.5 million in state bond funding thanks to efforts from Greenwich's delegation to Hartford and Lamont.

Calling it "an upgrade that is probably 50 years past due," Lamont, a Greenwich resident, spoke briefly Monday about what the club means to the town.

"You see the dysfunction down in Washington, D.C., you see the wars in the Middle East and Ukraine, and yet life goes on, and I think that's what today is all about — giving each and every one of our kids the very best opportunity," Lamont said.

Lamont joked that Greenwich has a "pretty pushy delegation."

"I hear from them loud and clear, and they're pushing on an open door. For my family, the Boys & Girls Club has been a big piece of our lives going back many years," Lamont said, noting that he used to host ping pong championships and watch his daughter play basketball at the club.

The BGCG still needs to raise some more money for construction, Lamont said, and he urged the community to continue to support the project.

"Connecticut always steps up, but more importantly, Greenwich always steps up looking out for each other, looking out for these kids," Lamont said.

State Rep. Stephen Meskers (D-150) spoke on behalf of the delegation, which includes state Sen. Ryan Fazio (R-36), Rachel Khanna (D-149) and Hector Arzeno (D-151).

"Your delegation in Hartford has worked tirelessly to support this effort and we thank the Governor for including us in the bonding grant for this year. I know this will go a long way toward completing this very ambitious and wonderful project," Meskers said.

BGCG Capital Campaign Chairs George Fox and Tony Mann spoke as well.

Mann said he's looking forward until early 2025 when the project is anticipated to be finished.

Fox noted that a lot has been accomplished to get to groundbreaking day, but the work has just begun.

"Over the last 20 years or so I've been involved here, I think the club has proven to be a real stable part of this community week after week, month after month," Fox said. "But I'm pretty sure the most important times for this club are ahead of us."

The architect for the project is KG+D Architects, and the general contractor is AP Construction. Rocco V. D'Andrea, Inc., is the civil engineer, and DiSalvo Engineering Group is the structural engineer.