SIMI VALLEY : Boys & Girls Club Seeks $1.5 Million

The Simi Valley Boys & Girls Club is kicking off a campaign to raise $1.5 million for a clubhouse to replace the one damaged in the Northridge earthquake.

The city of Simi Valley is paying to build the $3.3-million clubhouse on a corner of Rancho Tapo Community Park, but the Boys & Girls Club must pay back $1.5 million over 45 years.

Executive Director Linda White said the club will try to raise the money during the next year by soliciting donations from area businesses and organizations.

Club officials unveiled a video and brochures to be used for the “Raising Our Hopes” campaign at a reception Thursday night. Club supporters also toured the half-built, 25,000-square-foot structure, which consists of four walls in the drywall process and a partial roof. The clubhouse is scheduled to open in March.

White said the club’s present location at the former Bellwood School--which suffered more than $100,000 in earthquake damage--has become too small for the 2,000 children it serves each year.

“We are bursting at the seams,” she said. “The new building will triple the space we have available.”

The new clubhouse will feature a game room, multipurpose room with a full-size stage, studying stations and a weight room. White said such a setting will provide productive activities for children.

“Our children of today are being asked to make some very difficult decisions,” she said. “We are on the cutting edge of keeping them from making bad decisions.”