Club’s plans get initial nod

Expansion proposal now goes to city council for official approval

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Oklahoma County is one step closer to expanding its Memorial Park building and adding improvements.

The Oklahoma City Parks Commission gave its initial approval for the designs during a meeting last week.

It was the second time this year the Boys & Girls Clubs appeared before the board on the project. In February, they sought permission to add a new clubhouse. Since then officials have determined another 6,000 square feet of expansion is needed, as well as improvements to drainage and parking and the addition of a sign.

Boys & Girls Clubs board member Charles Givens showed plans to the nine-member board during its meeting at the Will Rogers Garden Exhibition Center. Also representing the group was Jane Sutter, Boys & Girls Club of Oklahoma County president and chief executive officer. Also present was Tim Johnson, of Johnson & Associates, an Oklahoma City engineering firm.

The proposal now goes to the Oklahoma City Council for official approval.

Sign of growth

The Boys & Girls Clubs has experienced dramatic growth at its Memorial Park location at NW 36 and Western. It serves an estimated 400 youths, ages 6 to 18, who attend after-school programs. The group provides character development programs and experiences for youth, many who come from one-parent homes.

The proposed addition of a sign in front of the center drew some scrutiny from commissioners. Givens said the sign is needed to alert parents about activities. In a letter to the board, Sutter called it a "25-square-foot monument sign."

Johnson said the sign could change messages in eight-second intervals. It could be programmed to go off at 10 p.m., he added. Commission Chairman Allen Paine urged landscaping at the base of the sign to improve its looks.

Sutter said the building has had flooding problems since park improvements were made in 2015. Johnson & Associates is planning to reroute rainwater from the park and away from the building into Memorial Park's sewer inlet at the northeast corner of the park.

Commissioner Christine Patton was curious whether the work would impact existing trees.

Givens said one dead tree would be removed.

"It will be replaced with better trees," he said.

Before the vote, Commissioner Ray Thompson called the project "an enhancement" for the park.