“We Did It!”: The Newly Opened William N. Pennington Boys & Girls Club of Spring Creek

Article and photos submitted by Cami Gerber, Boys & Girls Club

The William N. Pennington Boys & Girls Club of Spring Creek and Community Center officially opened February 2023. The complex also houses the newly constructed Nevada Gold Mines Early Learning Center. Boys & Girls Clubs of Elko CEO, Rusty Bahr is pleased with the overwhelming community support behind the building of this new facility, and shared, “these additions to the Spring Creek community are already providing much needed healthy outlets and recreation opportunities for the youth and residents.”

The Boys & Girls Club of Spring Creek currently provides after school care to Club Members grades kindergarten through fifth. Bahr said of the Club’s continued commitment to the community, “The Club has a great track record of doing the heavy lifting in our community. You saw this during the COVID-19 Pandemic when schools were closed, and our doors remained open to facilitate classes and take care of the youth who still needed supervised care.” The Club is stepping up once again to meet the needs of families by committing to offer full-day care on Fridays for the 2023-2024 school year as well as before school drop off due to the schools switching to a four-day week. “The Nevada Gold Mines Early Learning Center is another top-rated program we are offering thanks to the continued commitment of Nevada Gold Mines,” said Bahr. The Center is equipped to serve 110 children daily (infant – pre-school) and is attached to the new William N. Pennington Boys & Girls Club of Spring Creek and is open from 4:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. to accommodate work schedules, especially for those parents who work in the mines.

The Club provides a well-rounded Member experience as it houses a gymnasium, multipurpose room, teaching kitchen, game room, and computer lab. The regulation-sized gymnasium is equipped with six baskets allowing for full-court and side-court basketball use, as well as free-play, physical fitness, games, and other sports. The multipurpose room functions as a youth center, where life-skills and Positive Action curriculum are taught. This space also has several pieces of virtual reality equipment for the youth to explore their creative side. The full-service commercial kitchen is used for teaching and demonstrations. The game room comes complete with games, ping pong, air hockey, karaoke, and a locker area. Finally, the computer lab gives Club Members the chance to develop technology skills and explore careers. It doubles as a monitored game center and is open for homework and tutoring.

There are several amenities and amusements open to not only Club members, but for use and rental to the public. The gymnasium is open for youth sports, special events, and rentals. There is a large Outdoor Adventure Area with a playground, 18-hole miniature golf course, and batting cages. The kitchen/gym combination is capable of servicing major events and concessions. “Creekers” Concession & Treats is open during all sporting games and practices and during all public Outdoor Adventure, miniature golf, and batting cage times. And, of course, the building is available to rent for your next big event or birthday party!

Living a healthy lifestyle is a major component of Boys & Girls Club curriculum, and the Spring Creek Club is excited to promote community health and fitness through the on-site Fitness Center. The Fitness Center is equipped with Precor treadmills, ellipticals, bikes, and stair climbers. The Center also includes a full weight circuit, cable crossover, and free weights. The Club is thrilled to announce that it is offering personal training, weight training, and group fitness classes to anyone who purchases a Fitness Center membership.

Bahr, said, “It is our mission to enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens. Through the construction of the William N. Pennington Boys & Girls Club of Spring Creek and the Nevada Gold Mines Early Learning Center, we are expanding this commitment to the entire Spring Creek community. We hope everyone will catch the vision of what we mean when we say, ‘Great Futures Start Here.’”

For information about the Club and Early Learning programs, Fitness Center membership, and the many amenities available to the Spring Creek community, please visit bgcelko.org/spring-creek or call (775) 748-6136.