Junction Triangle Boys and Girls Club moves into new location

Feb.2012 – By Justin Millerson

Executive Director of the Boys and Girls Club Danny Anckle, Councillor Ana Bailao, 11 Division Superintendent Peter Lennox and a couple of the boys and girls mark the opening of the new clubhouse. PHOTO By Justin Millerson

The Junction Triangle Boys and Girls Club have moved into a new home at 1379 Bloor St. W. and to celebrate the new location, a ribbon cutting ceremony was held on Jan 25.

In attendance were roughly 40 people, young and old, including Councillor Ana Bailão who played a big part in the club’s relocation from 120 Perth Ave.“Once Ana’s office came into power the space became available, everything we asked for, her office was able to get for us,” said program director Tony Palermo after the ceremony.

Palermo, during the ceremony,  took the time to thank Bailão, as well as other contributors who made the substantial upgrade possible.

The new space totals in 2,600-sq.-ft., a far cry from the size of the club’s previous location, which was just roughly 900-sq.-ft. according to Palermo.

“The old space was next to nothing, we needed to move to a bigger place,” he said.

Palermo, who spent time in a Boys and Girls Club when he was a child, listed a number of features that are now possible in the new building for children in the Junction, including, a brand new computer room, a games room, a quiet area, a kitchen and a library.

“These things would not be able to happen in the old location,” said Palermo.

Sandra Morris, Boys and Girls Club Regional Director, said it’s been known for a long time that there are young people in the Junction Triangle who want the same kind of access to what the Boys and Girls Club has to offer at an adequate facility. Since the Boys and Girls Club in its entirety is “changing in so many ways,” she said and with this new, two-storey location, children can experience youth engagement to the fullest.

The club’s hours of operations are, 3:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., Monday to Friday.

For more information contact program director, Tony Palermo at tony@dovercourtkids.com, or visit http://dovercourtkids.com