BGCCC Breaks Ground on Major Immokalee Expansion | Club Update

Boys & Girls Club of Collier County (BGCCC) has officially broken ground on its transformational expansion at the Bolch Campus in Immokalee, a project designed to significantly increase access to afterschool and summer programming for local children and families. The groundbreaking marks an important milestone, but BGCCC leadership says the long-term success of the initiative extends far beyond construction.

“Breaking ground is incredibly meaningful because it represents years of planning around a very real need in Immokalee,” said Paul Donahue, CEO of Boys & Girls Club of Collier County. “Continuing to support more children requires staffing, transportation, programming, meals, and long-term operational investment to ensure these opportunities remain accessible year after year.”

Last year, BGCCC served more than 4,600 Club members across Naples and Immokalee, yet nearly 2,000 youth in Immokalee still do not have access to reliable afterschool programs.

The expansion includes a new climate-controlled gymnasium and attached open-air pavilion designed to serve hundreds more children each day. Once completed, the addition is expected to increase daily capacity by approximately 400 children, expand summer camp enrollment from 500 participants per day to 800, and support year-round programming and meal distribution efforts for local families.

While construction is actively moving forward, BGCCC leadership emphasized that the initiative is not yet fully funded and will require continued philanthropic support in the years ahead. The full capital effort, including staffing, transportation, program activation, and long-term sustainability planning, represents an estimated $10 million commitment.

Community members, corporate sponsors, and philanthropic partners interested in supporting the project can learn more by contacting Thomas Webb at 239-325-1710 or TWebb@bgccc.com.