Warwick to open third Boys & Girls Clubs branch

WARWICK – In mid-January, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Warwick announced it would open its third location, which will be situated within the Lloyd Cooper Armory on Sandy Lane.

Known as “The Club,” the new facility will cater to middle school-aged students during what is a “tumultuous time of life,” said executive director Lara D’Antuono.

She explained most of the programming at the new center will be arts-oriented, including culinary arts, nontraditional athletic activities and a focus on STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and math) courses.

“The city already offers youth many athletic options in this vicinity, but for those who want to explore and develop artistic interests and creativity in transformative ways after school, there is currently nothing,” she said.

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A $100,000 matching grant was funded by the R.I. State Council on the Arts early on, which was followed by a $75,000 gift from the Rhode Island Foundation to pay for staffing of the facility. In addition, Balise Motor Sales is contributing $50,000, which will go toward making the shared gym and theater venue an exciting space for high-performance activities.

The BGCW has served the Warwick community for more than 40 years and has built its presence through two previous branches in the Norwood and Oakland Beach neighborhoods of Warwick. Currently, the organization serves 1,400 boys and girls aged 5-18.

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