LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- (WDRB) The reopening of the Parkland Boys and Girls Club is considered a key part of the revitalization of that struggling West End neighborhood.
In this follow-up, WDRB explains why the club's doors are delayed being reopened to area kids.
The Boys and Girls Clubs had hoped to have Parkland open and running this summer. But despite lots of hard work, that's not going to happen.
At the Parkland Boys and Girls Club, the halls are still empty of the sounds of laughter. And while some equipment is here, there are no basketball games just yet.
"It's very disappointing. I'm a very passionate person about serving kids," said Jennifer Helgeson, President and CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Kentuckiana.
But much progress has been made since the Boys and Girls club took over this building from the Salvation Army in May.
"Almost all of the rooms now have been freshly painted," Helgeson says. "Most of them have two coats on them."
But there is a lot of work yet to be done. The place was in much worse shape than anyone expected.
Helgeson says, "When we first moved in, it was definitely something that we really think through, what our plan and our strategy was going to be, and how we would encourage the community to get involved and help out."
And hundreds of volunteers have been busy cleaning and painting the building.
"The one thing I can say that we're definitely proud of work that individuals have seen as they have come back into the building."
But some work has been delayed because the stolen air conditioner has not yet been replaced,
"When we've had such heat advisories and things like that, we could not have groups of people in here working throughout the day. It's just too hot to be in this building."
But the time it's taking to restore this building is not the only delay. One big hang up, perhaps the biggest hang up, has been paperwork.
"A purchase has been a new arena for us and we've had some delays, whether it's been on surveying or getting information for insurance and different things like that. We're waiting now. I've been told it's in the final hands, of what I need and I can't wait to get that back so we can go ahead and move forward."
And Helgeson is hoping to get the final word very soon about the purchase closing date.
After that, progress should speed fairly quickly.
Meantime, the club still needs lots of volunteers and lots of supplies.
You can contact the Boys and Girls Club by calling (502) 585-5437.
(Copyright 2012 WDRB News. All Rights Reserved.)
