A Kid’s Clubhouse Fit for a President

On May 24, President Bill Clinton dug in his shovel for the unveiling of a new Madison Square Boys & Girls Club at the intersection of West 155th and Bradhurst Avenue in Harlem, expected to open in the fall of 2018.

Just across the street from the Polo Grounds Towers and Rangel Houses developments, a former president has broken ground on new resources for children.

On May 24, President Bill Clinton dug in his shovel for the unveiling of a new Madison Square Boys & Girls Club at the intersection of West 155th and Bradhurst Avenue in Harlem, expected to open in the fall of 2018. 

The Boys & Girls Club will provide the Polo Grounds Towers and Rangel Houses communities with afterschool, Saturday, and summer programming to young people ages 6 to 18. There are currently 1,317 Polo Grounds Towers residents, and 733 Rangel Houses residents, who are 19 years or younger. 

“Nobody ever amounts to much without a hand up now and then, without a pat on the back, without someone looking after them telling them it’s going to be alright,” President Clinton said. “That’s why I love the Boys and Girls Club, why I love this project.” 

The 45,000-square-foot, four-story building will hold educational spaces and recreational facilities, including a soccer field and basketball court, as well as visual and performing arts space, including a production studio, screening room, and technology lab. To learn more, visit www.madisonsquare.org.