Boys & Girls Club Grand Opening
On Monday, October 2nd, Holst proudly attended the Grand Opening Celebration of the Rockwood Club for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Portland. A project that began in 2013 after the club and the city of Gresham identified the former Drake's 7 Dees garden center property as the site for the new Boys & Girls location. Holst became an integral part of the project early on - parceling the land and facilitating a relationship and future shared facilities with Open School, that now sits to the east of the new club.
The new Rockwood Club is representative of Gresham’s dedication to revitalizing outer-east Multnomah County and bringing much-needed services to children and families in the area. Serving children since 1946, this chapter’s new location at SE 165th Avenue and Stark Street will be a catalyst for this underserved community. BGC Rockwood hopes to serve 140 youths this year, increasing its numbers each subsequent year, with after-school and summer programs.
“We are incredibly honored to partner with the city of Gresham to respond to the needs of the children and families in Rockwood. This building, with the support of so many that have stepped up to invest in this club, will open up a whole new world of opportunity for youth in Rockwood.” Said Erin Hubert, executive director of Boys & Girls Club Portland.
After an extended planning and fundraising phase, design work for the Rockwood club began in earnest in 2014. Essential features that the client desired were safe outdoor spaces for kids, transparency and clear sightlines for safety and security purposes; as well as, a restrained, simple, and timeless design that would seem attractive, grown-up, and dignified to the youth.
“Erin Hubert, her amazing staff, and dedicated board have been committed to creating a safe and welcoming place that is respectful of the boys and girls that it serves,” said Dave Otte. “From day one, they wanted a sophisticated and modern facility that didn’t play down to kids, but rather helped elevate them to become successful young adults.”
A desired amenity for the club was a dedicated teen center for youth aged 13-18. Holst delivered a bright and spacious space that maintains a mature feel due in part to the dramatic dark grey, sloping ceiling – a necessary design element to incorporate an existing 7,000 sf building into the larger new structure. The teen center includes hangout space, computer labs, and the aptly named “Dream Center.” Donated by Trail Blazer’s C. J. McCollum, this innovative space features staff and equipment to help kids think and dream big.
Built by P&C Construction of Gresham, the overall 30,000 sf facility, includes a commercial kitchen, learning center, youth and family services, and an art studio. The new center is also home to a sizable gym, made possible in part by Nike. Future plans have been made for futsal and soccer fields to be built with help from the Timbers and Thorns charitable organization: Stand Together. Other nonprofits and service providers, such as Open School and New Avenues for Youth, share the campus and facilities with the new club.
On hand for the Grand Opening were community members, city officials, local law enforcement and hometown celebrities CJ McCollum and Pat Connaughton of the Portland Blazers as well as, former basketball great, Terry Porter. Holst was represented by partners Kim Wilson and Dave Otte, as well as, project designer, Rick Sanchez.
Reflecting upon the completion of the project, Dave Otte said, “Holst has been honored to help the Boys & Girls Club of Portland create this facility, and we are excited to see boys and girls thrive here for years to come.”
