ALPENA — The Boys and Girls Club is experiencing a resurgence and is seeing growth in the number of programs it is able to offer it members, in staff and most importantly the number of member it serves. It has been making improvements to the facility as well as updating technology that will be used as recreation and education for the kids.

If the current rate of growth continues, either a new building will be needed or major renovations to the current one will be needed in order to continue to provide the kids with the experience they currently have.

Executive Director Brad Somers said over the last five years there has been a 27 percent increase in the number of members and there is an average of 115 kids per day visiting the club. He attributed the growing number of members to the recruitment efforts of his staff, the relationship with Alpena Public Schools and word of mouth about the programs and services offered.

“We used to think 65 or 70 kids was a lot, but now that is a slow day. We really are bursting at the seams right now. Also with more kids comes more of everything from staff to supplies,” Somers said. “Right now we still have the ability to serve, but the building is getting old and a lot of maintenance is needed. At some point in the future we are going to have to do something.”

Some of the most recent upgrades at the club include new computers, flooring and backboards in the gym. Somers said money from the Alpena County Youth and Recreation millage was used to help cover the cost, while other projects were made possible from fundraising and public donations. He said the community always has supported the club and that is why it has operated for more than 90 years.

There also has been a change in the number of staff at the club. Somers said two new people have been hired to work with the growing number of kids attending the club. He said it wasn’t long ago the two new employees, Rose Jasman and Trey Manning, were members of the club and participated in the programs. They both just recently graduated from high school and Somers said hiring from within has its benefits because administrators are knowledgeable of their skills and personalities and they require little time getting acclimated to their job.

“They really embody what the club is about,” he said. “They bring a lot of skills that we work hard to train other employees who have been hired from the outside. It is so great to have them and the kids look up to them like you wouldn’t believe. We watched them grow up and now I’m signing their paycheck. It’s pretty cool.”

Steve Schulwitz can be reached via email at sschulwitz@thealpenanews.com or by phone at 358-5689. Follow Steve on Twitter ss_alpenanews.