Boys & Girls Club has new space for teens

MONROE — The Monroe Boys &Girls Club is growing with the community.

The club opened a new technology lab with 15 computers in May.

“It’s wonderful,” Susan Goettsch, the club’s director, said. “Kids are really enjoying having this technology around.”

In addition to the lab, the club built a new teen center for kids 13 and older in September 2006. The teen center features four computers, an air hockey table, a pool table and a karaoke machine. Built with input from teens, the center also has posters of New York, San Francisco and Chicago on the walls.

Goettsch answers questions about the growing club.

Q. How much did the new lab and the teen center cost?

A. $611,000. The club got help from others. For instance, Monroe gave $75,000 for the work. The state also pitched in $98,000, and the Boeing Employees Community Fund $52,000.

Q. How popular is the new technology lab?

A. Very much. Every day, more than 30 kids use it to do homework, research on the Internet and watch movies. Also, senior citizens from the nearby senior center have used the lab to learn how to sell and buy things at eBay.

Q. How many members does the club have?

A. About 1,200. The annual membership fee is $20 per kid.

Q. In addition to the new lab and teen center, what else does the club have?

A. A gym and a game room with ping-pong and pool tables.

Q. The new YMCA family center has just opened in Monroe. Has it been affecting the Boys &Girls Club?

A. “I really don’t see that,” she said. The demand for youth and family activities has been increasing fast in the city of about 16,000 people.

For instance, summer camps at the club drew 225 kids this year.

That was much more than the club expected.

“We are a very valuable part of the community,” she said.

For more information about the club, call 360-794-4775 or go to www.bgcsc.org.

Reporter Yoshiaki Nohara: 425-339-3029 or ynohara@heraldnet.com.

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