Kid Stuff

Boys and Girls Club Gets Crazy Awesome Renovation

Emily Anderson, photos by Andrea Paulseth |

Since June 2004, the Boys and Girls Club in downtown Eau Claire has provided a place for youth to participate in a number of fun and safe activities as well as get homework help and tutoring. For some time, the building, previously the Mandarin Club, has been in need of some renovation. With the help of donations from the Otto Bremer Foundation, Charter Bank of Eau Claire, and the Luther Midlefort Foundation, the bar and other fixtures from the Mandarin that used to take up valuable space were removed to create a bright open space that is now much more appealing and can be used for games, tutoring, and other large group activities. Also, the bathrooms were remodeled, a computer lab was added, and enclosed rooms were built to accommodate music lessons. Along with the renovations, the club has adopted a new name: The Boys and Girls Club of the Greater Chippewa Valley – Mary Markquart Center. Mary Markquart, a former teacher who passed away last year, was a crucial part in the organization of the club. There will be an open house at the downtown location on June 16.