Boys and Girls Clubs of Western Nevada CEO Brett Zunino, staff and the Carson Valley Chamber of Commerce cut the ribbon during the grand opening of the Wray Family Clubhouse in Minden on Nov. 8.
Photo by Sarah Drinkwine.
The Wray Family Clubhouse welcomed students across Douglas County into the new Minden Boys and Girls Club on Ironwood Drive on Tuesday.
The grand opening for the Wray Family Clubhouse was Nov. 8 and was open to students beginning Tuesday.
“This was a breakneck speed year for our staff,” said Boys and Girls Club CEO Brett Zunino. “We have opened four locations, this is our fourth location in one year, and there is another opening in late 2025 in Carson City.”
The Boys and Girls Clubs of Western Nevada opened in 1993 and has since expanded to three locations in Carson City and Douglas County, serving more than 1,500 members.
For 17 years, Pau-Wa-Lu Middle school housed the Douglas County club.
“We want to thank the Douglas County School District for letting the Boys and Girls Club camp out at Pau-Wa-Lu for 17 years,” said Zunino. “They were gracious about the transition and are now increasing the busing system to help get kids to the facility.”
Club member Landon McGregor, who has been attending the Pau-Wa-Lu location, was looking forward to the new facility, especially the pool table in the activities room, while his mother was looking forward to the location.
“We live in Minden, down the street actually, so I’m excited it’s so close,” said Carrie McGregor. “And it’s great that there is finally a facility here.”
While housed at Pa-Wa-Lu, the Boys and Girls Club was in the cafeteria of the school with centers and activities set up on tables and the teen center took over a classroom.
“It’s very exciting and about time,” said Boys and Girls Club Teen Service Coordinator Mastor Bellamy. “ It’s a big thing, especially being near the high school and being a place teens can have a safe place to come to.”
Bellamy said the club will have a leadership club for teens, Leadership in Training program, and athletics.
“Work force development is big among our teens,” said Bellamy.
Bellamy said teens will learn and experience job readiness, and even have the opportunity to work within the club as a paid high school staff.
The Wray Family Boys and Girls Club will support over 350 children from newborn to 18-years-old in Carson Valley.
“We like to say we serve diapers to diplomas,” said Zunino.
The clubhouse will include a library, a learning center, a game room, a STEM center, a teen center, and the Smart Start center.
The Smart Start Center which will serve 60 children ages 6 weeks old to 5 years old, is expected to open in January 2025.
During Friday’s grand opening, Zunino thanked staff, donors, and all contributors who helped make the Wray Family Clubhouse possible.
“Tonight, I want to put our staff first,” said Zunino. “This team has done nothing short of pulling off miracle after miracle. From top to bottom, they are the unsung heroes of tonight.”
He also thanked Boys and Girls Club Board of Directors and Board Members, Gov. Joe Lombardo and the Governor’s office.
“They were eager to help with five of our projects, including this one, so we want to thank Joe Lombardo and his finance team for making this happen,” said Zunino.
Zunino recognized the Miles Construction and Berger Hannafin Architecture for their work on the facility.
“They did a spectacular job of turning this office building into a safe, very inviting, kid-friendly environment,” he said.
He thanked donors to the facility including Carson Valley Health and their three-year $150,000 commitment, Western Nevada Supply and their two-year $100,000 commitment, $20,000 check from Metcalf Construction, and a $5,000 check from the Carson Valley Lions Club.
“This was really a team effort, there are really no Lone Rangers in this building, it literally took a community to make this 17-year-journey a reality,” said Zunino.
Last but not least, Zunino thanked Lois Wray and family who donated the building to house the Minden clubhouse.
“This is a monumental day for Lois Wray and her family,” said Zunino. “They donated this building for the Boys & Girls Club and (Lois) moved heaven and earth to make this happen, so we want to give a special thanks to her.”
The Minden clubhouse was named the Wray Family Boys and Girls Clubhouse of Western Nevada to pay homage to Wray.
The Wray Family Boys and Girls Clubhouse of Western Nevada is open for enrollment. Visit https://bgcwn.org/ for more information.
