From WVLT Local 8:
The Boys & Girls Club of the Smoky Mountains hopes to build a new center for Pigeon Forge kids by next year, but they need donations to make that happen.
On a day where temperatures broke records above 95 degrees, children attending the boys and girls club in Pigeon Forge are with out air conditioning. Part of the building has not AC and they relay on fans to keep cool.
“We have no air, in this part of the building. So we rely a lot on fans,” said Monika Keenan, Branch Director, as she wipes sweat from her forehead while playing a game with the kids.
The City of Pigeon Forge has given the club space for the past 15 years, but in that time they’ve outgrown the building and major renovations are needed.
“Although the space is free and very appreciative of it, it’s not air conditioned. And it doesn’t have the amenities you might consider in a boys and girls club cultural arts area,” said Mark Ross, Executive Director of the Boys & Girls Club of the Smoky Mountains. “We’re hoping that really the whole community will take us on.”
Plans have been drawn up for a new building, but $2M is needed to make that happen. Fundraising is underway to see if ground can’t be broken by this fall and open the new center in 2016.
