HARLEM — Harlem youth will soon have the opportunity to dance, paint, study and play ball in one place.
The Madison Square Boys and Girls Club unveiled plans for a new clubhouse.
The four-story, 45,000 square foot feature is planned for kids and teens aged 6 to 18 and features a rooftop sports arena, dance studio, technology labs, tutoring space and a dining area.
The facility is slated to be built from the ground up near the 155th Street viaduct and Jackie Robinson Park with groundbreaking expected in early 2017. It's scheduled to be finished by fall 2018.
The organization, a member of the Boys and Girls Club of America, said it was important to build a space for underserved kids and teens who seldom have a place for after-school activities.
“Our new clubhouse will provide access to much-needed resources for the boys and girls of Central Harlem and the surrounding community,” said Joseph Patuleia, the organization’s executive director.
“We can’t wait to welcome our members to this exceptional facility where they can grow, learn, play and thrive for generations to come.
The organization has five clubhouses throughout the city, including in The Bronx and Brooklyn. The planned Harlem location, designed by Rogers Partners, is the first ground-up Boys and Girls Club built in New York since 1970 and will serve as a city hub for the organization.
