The Boys and Girls Club of Hopkinsville is celebrating being able to soon break ground and begin construction on their new cafeteria and kitchen area, thanks to a generous donation from the Rotary Club of Hopkinsville.
Club officials were presented with a check for $200,000 from the Rotary Club at Tuesday’s meeting, and Executive Director Terrence Davis says that although they do have a food program in place currently, a cafeteria and kitchen will allow them to make sure students are getting hot, nutritious meals.
Board member Dan Kemp says they had originally thought the cost of the project would be $500,000, but after multiple bids came back in over budget, the cost changed to $623,000. He says thanks in part to the Rotary Club, that project is now fully funded.
Karlee Lane is a Boys and Girls Club alumni who will be attending Hopkinsville Community College as a Rotary Scholar, saying both organizations have really helped her in her life.
The classroom portion of the club on Walnut Street will be named for the Rotary Club, in exchange for a donation which would be spread out over a four year period, totaling $200,000. Davis says they hope to break ground in September and the tentative construction schedule would be around 6 months.
The Rotary Club continues to offer and support the Rotary Scholarship and student loan program, which helps sends area students to Hopkinsville Community College for two years, tuition free. To learn more about what the Rotary Club of Hopkinsville does in the community, contact the club at (270) 886-3034.