LYNN– Growing up on Franklin Street in the 1950s, Tom Demakes was a regular at the Boys & Girls Club of Lynn, enjoying swimming, bowling, and billiards. When Demakes got a look at the club about 10 years ago, he was surprised to see not much had changed over six decades, and he wanted to do something about it.
The Demakes Family made a $5 million gift to the Boys & Girls Club (BGCL) to support a complete rehabilitation to be done in two phases. Phase 1, a $7 million project, was completed in September 2020 and included a new check-in area, board room, STEAM classroom, offices, childcare center, teen center, fitness room, and dance studio.
Phase 2 is an $18 million renovation that involves the demolition of the back section of the club, which began in earnest Monday morning.
Demakes, his son, Tim, BGCL Executive Director Brian Theirrien, board leadership, capital project co-chairs Jimmy McGrath and Nick Meninno, and about 15 participants in the club’s childcare program gathered Monday to celebrate the official start of the building project.
“We want to do everything we can in Lynn to give kids equal opportunity,” Demakes said of his decision to support this project. “The club is a place for kids to be safe, do their homework, and learn skills. We have big plans for the Boys & Girls Club.”
The new section of the building will be three floors to match the front. In addition to a new gym and new pool, both of which were at least 80 years old, there will be a full cafeteria serving breakfast, lunch, snacks and dinner, industrial kitchen, fitness room with equipment from Planet Fitness, two additional licensed childcare classrooms, dance and theater room. The new teen wing will provide opportunities for college preparation, career readiness, community service and club service.
Theirrien said the club will be able to accommodate about 650 youth per day, an increase of about 50 percent.
“Having the right program space is critical,” Theirrien said. “We want the club to be a place for kids to thrive while they are here.”
A significant change will be the main entrance moving from 25 North Common St. to 22 Franklin St., which will allow for better access.
“This will make a significant impact on the youth in the community,” board president Adriana Moschella said. “We will be able to service many more kids and provide additional resources that are needed in the city. We appreciate the community support for this project. It takes a village. We have a ways to go but we have great momentum.”
