The landscape is changing at Yorktown Middle School as construction gets underway on a unique expansion program that will serve double duty as a larger and new Boys & Girls Club and expansion of York River Academy. This 24,000 square foot facility, designed by Guernsey Tingle Architects and being constructed by Henderson, Incorporated, both of Williamsburg, is the first project of its kind in this region.

This expansion will allow York River Academy to expand its daily classes while the Boys & Girls Club will utilize the space to host both after school and summer youth development programming.

“This is a great example of two organizations working in tandem with a shared vision for mentoring and fostering our youth,” said Jonathan Putt, the Vice President of Operations for the Boys & Girls Club of the Virginia Peninsula. “We are excited to have construction underway and we look forward to opening our doors to the community.”

Constructed to York County School standards, the facility will include classrooms, designated space for Teens, a state-of-the-art technology center, a full sized gymnasium and a performing arts area complete with a stage. The club will have a full-time professional staff on hand for instruction as well as mentoring.

Recognizing a common goal of more space designed with youth development as a focus, the Boys & Girls Club teamed up with the York County School Division to form a Public-Private Partnership several years ago. Funds were raised from members of the community and several large sponsors, including Cox Communications and the York County School System, and the late Edwin Joseph donated land on Goosley Road next to Yorktown Middle School.

York River Academy of Technology is a vocational school within the York County Public School system. Open to school district students in the 9th and 10th grade years, it provides an opportunity for students to earn professional technical certifications that will prepare them to enter the work force with in-demand skills.

The joint purpose of this project creates a Boys & Girls Club that is truly unique. The physical facility will help foster the Boys & Girls Club’s five core development areas of: Character & Leadership Development, Education & Career Development, Health & Life Skills, the Arts and Sports and Fitness.

Henderson, Inc. is scheduled to complete construction in June of this year and the facility will be open this summer.