George McGovern Middle School to get Boys & Girls Clubs addition to school building

A crowd of sixth-grade students Monday afternoon at George McGovern Middle School was audibly excited to hear the news that in two years’ time, when they’re eighth graders, a Boys & Girls Club facility will be added onto their school.

This addition will serve as an out-of-school time club and will bring in 16,000 new square feet to the school including a STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and music) classroom, innovation lab, teaching kitchen, full-sized gymnasium, social spaces and more.

Students could see innovative and educational programs and opportunities in the new Club such as culinary classes, tutoring, athletic camps, tae kwon do, volunteer opportunities, workforce development, mentorship and more, said Stacy Jones, CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Sioux Empire.

More: District updates ‘big picture’ for future of expanding after-school programs

Renderings for the space shown to students Monday afternoon in a school assembly also show foosball tables, ping pong tables, spaces to study and to socialize.

The Club, once up and running, could serve hundreds of students each day after school, on non-school days and weekdays during the summer, and will cater to middle schoolers’ specific needs for a safe, nurturing and educational environment during out-of-school hours.

Both the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Sioux Empire and the Sioux Falls School District have recognized the barriers some middle schoolers face to access out-of-school programming and looked to other proven outcomes from similar clubs around the country when coming up with this idea for the McGovern Club.

Jones said talks have been in the works for this space for several months to a year now, and having a facility connected to the school can eliminate challenges families face, such as a lack of transportation to programs or the financial means to access them.

More: 'We're in a crisis,' childcare leaders warn as options remain unaffordable for many

Superintendent Jane Stavem said in a press release this partnership changes the landscape of free time for preteens and teens in Sioux Falls.

“We are excited about this development, and so grateful to our philanthropic community partners for stepping up to share the vision for quality, structured, after-school programs,” Stavem said. “Their support means that, together, we can offer students expanded learning and enrichment, leadership opportunities, and family support to build lasting benefits for the city of Sioux Falls.”

Several individuals and businesses in the community have donated to fund construction of the new facility, including lead contributor The Seed for Success Foundation, which has given $5 million.

Part of Denny Sanford’s $10 million donation to the Sioux Falls Community Foundation — $1.5 million of it — will go toward the McGovern Club. The majority of his remaining $8.5 million donation will go toward scholarships for families.

The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Sioux Empire are also in discussion with other community members for other major gifts to furnish the building and continue its operations. Since there is an ongoing need for support, the Clubs aren’t aiming for a final number, marketing and communications director Lexie Feterl said.

The project will open up for construction bids in the coming weeks and months to be approved by the school board. Construction is expected to begin in the spring, and the facility could open by the summer or fall of 2025.

This article originally appeared on Sioux Falls Argus Leader: Boys & Girls Clubs to add onto George McGovern Middle School by 2025