Oak Orchard Boys & Girls Club getting ready for expansion

Looking to meet a growing need for a facility that’s already at capacity, the Oak Orchard Boys & Girls Club held a groundbreaking ceremony June 15 to kick off the club’s expansion.

Located near the corner of Route 24 and Oak Orchard Road, the club was built in 2001, has a capacity of 100, and has waiting lists for both its school-year and summer programs. The club is constructing a 3,200-square-foot addition, comprising classroom space, bathrooms and security measures. The project will double the size of the building, enable the club to increase school-aged enrollment – 5 to 12 – by 50 members and add programs for at least 20 teenagers each day.

Millie Charnick, Boys & Girls Clubs of Delaware vice president of operations, was at the Oak Orchard facility when it opened in 2001. The first summer it opened, the club was at capacity, she said.

“I’m so tickled about this project,” said Charnick.

John Wellons, Boys & Girls Clubs of Delaware president and CEO, said there’s been incredible growth in this area. As soon as it opened, it was almost immediately too small, he said, adding they don’t know how long the waiting list is because the community knows it’s full.

Erica Kennedy, Oak Orchard Boys & Girls Club director, said the kids are excited and have started making suggestions on what should be included. The real moment the expansion got real was when the trailer was moved to the front of the building, she said.

“It was like, ‘Move that bus!’” said Kennedy, referencing the famous tagline from the television show “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.”

Rep. Ruth Briggs King, R-Georgetown, said the expansion will help the facility and kids grow in an environment that’s proven to be safe. Also, she said, it will help kids remain engaged in that critical age group of 13 to 16. 

The expansion will be completed by Whayland Construction Company, and is set to be finished in spring 2023.