On Friday the BGC Airdrie Club received a grant of $125,000 from the provincial government. 

The money will be used to tear down their old clubhouse located at 1003 Allen Street and build space for their programs.

Cassandra Clem, the Director of Children's Programs and Services with the club is very excited to receive these funds, as it is a huge step in continuing to support kids in our community. 

"We are beyond excited to keep having the money coming in so that we can rebuild this space that's been in the community since 1979."

The current clubhouse at the location is an older modular building that was put together and could use an upgrade. When they had a building assessment done 5 years ago, they were told it was time to make some changes.

"We've done everything to make it really safe for our current programs and services, we have been told our current building is only meant for a small amount of time to be inhabited and so we've really been pushing it."

AirdriePhoto of the old facility on Allen Street. Photo provided by Cassandra Clem.

According to Clem, they have been trying to get this project underway for a long time and are excited for the build to begin.

BGC Airdrie Club currently has two locations they utilize, one on Allen Street and one in the Ron Ebbesen Arena.

"We need separate spaces for each age group to feel safe to be 100 per cent who they are."

When the project is complete, the goal will be to continue offering the same programs and services but hopefully, be able to allow more kids to take part.

"When we do an evening cooking program, our current space is smaller than what this new space is going to be.  We generally can only support 15 to 20 kids for evening programs. We already have an existing waitlist for those evening programs of another 15 to 20 kids."

Clem also wanted to thank everybody else that might have donated or helped make this project possible, she especially wanted to thank the Executive Director of the club Denisa Sanness.

"She has been integral in this project. She has made all of these things start to happen and come together."

The goal is to hopefully have the new building up and running by September of this year.

The funds were provided by the provincial government under the community facility enhancement program.

Send your news tips, story ideas, pictures, and videos to news@discoverairdrie.com. You can also message and follow us on Twitter: @AIR1061FM

DiscoverAirdrie encourages you to get your news directly from your trusted source by bookmarking this page and downloading the DiscoverAirdrie app. For breaking news, weather and contest alerts click here.