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The Dispatch wrote
The Salesian Boys & Girls Club of Columbus will close Friday, ending a 38-year run Downtown.
The club laid off six staff members this year, but the financial challenges remained too daunting to continue, its trustees decided. They announced their decision yesterday.
An estimated 3,000 children, most of them from Near East Side neighborhoods, were served each year at the center. The club offered swimming, bowling, a gym, computer labs and a learning center.
Anthony DiSanza, president of the Salesian club’s trustees, said it served an average of 120 youngsters per day in after-school programs and had more than 250 daily for summer programs.
The Rev. John Puntino, executive director of the Salesian Boys & Girls Club, said he didn’t know what will become of its building.
The brick high-rise is in a prime location across the street from Grant Medical Center.
Sad to see it go. Hopefully the Central Y can help pick up with some of the youth programming.
The question now becomes what happens with the building?
This sucks.. One of my friends used to go to the afterschool programs there and IIRC went on to volunteer. I hadn’t heard they were in danger of closing…
that is really crazy. i hadn’t heard anything about this. i walk by there almost everyday, and there are always a lot of kids there, at least during the summer.
from the outside the building and surrounding are in nice shape, so i’m sure someone could come up with a good use for it.
Don’t like the sound of that. Not one bit.
Organizations and services like that do great things that are hard to establish metrics for in a world where success is all too measured in dollars and numbers.
These types of buildings make good discount hotel conversions. I stayed in a former YMCA in downtown San Diego that had teeny tiny rooms and private shared bathrooms. Saved a bundle.
Maybe it’s time columbus had a hostel…
Just biked by there and there were kids playing basketball and some parents were picking up their kids. Hope there´s somewhere nearby where they can do the same. I´m liking the idea of the hostel, but if only it were in a more active area.
Considering its pretty close to everything downtown, the area isn’t too bad. Technically visitors would still be able to walk up to High Street and have easy access to Downtown, the Arena District, GV, Short North, etc. I’ve stayed in a hostel or two in my travels, and I think overall, people willing to stay in one are a little more adventurous (perhaps more rugged?) than your average tourist.
Pretty easy walk to Gay St, cab ride to SN area or by bus.
Yeah, I’m not grooving on this news. As far as I’m concerned, the more children’s services there are, the better.
But in any case, this should just remind us that if we care about this issue, we should volunteer or donate.
Considering its pretty close to everything downtown, the area isn’t too bad. Technically visitors would still be able to walk up to High Street and have easy access to Downtown, the Arena District, GV, Short North, etc. I’ve stayed in a hostel or two in my travels, and I think overall, people willing to stay in one are a little more adventurous (perhaps more rugged?) than your average tourist.
Your icon is Ryoko from Tenchi Muyo, right? I used to love that show! (Prior to the lame English dubbing…)
Sad to see it go. On the flip side, what an awesome building. It has a bowling alley and swimming pools, which leads me to think it could be an awesome condo or apt building with indoor entertainment.
Only problem is location. Do you really want to live with a scenic view of Grant’s ER entrance?
What if you could get a condo on that elevation for under 100k? I know, dream on, but still. It has possibilities.
What if you could get a condo on that elevation for under 100k? I know, dream on, but still. It has possibilities.
There is that. As long as Grant doesn’t eye it for a parking lot.
this is really really sad, they really did great things over there . :(
So, uh, how much will that building be going for?
I think CU needs its own clubhouse. :D
I think CU needs its own clubhouse. :D
my guess? 3-4 million + , depends on how badly they need the cash
I think CU needs its own clubhouse. :D
my guess? 3-4 million + , depends on how badly they need the cash
Sooooo…bake sale anyone?