By Sarah Fertsch
Staff Writer
Stephanie Koch, CEO of the Boys and Girls Club of Atlantic City, unveiled a $500,000 remodel of their teen space on Pennsylvania Avenue Sept. 23. The ribbon cutting included VIPs such as former Eagles quarterback Ron Jaworski and Mayor Marty Small.
The new arena, formerly known as the Boys’ Club Boxing Ring, was built in 1973. It’s been modernized to be more inclusive, offering a wider variety of activities and multipurpose uses. The concrete floor, which was topped with rubber, had deteriorated over time, prompting the Boys and Girls Club administration to revamp the space.
The Atlantic City Boys and Girls Club held a $500,000 fund-raising campaign called Go Hoops. The arena was named after Evolution Gaming, which contributed $250,000 toward the project. Other donors include Steve and Cookie’s restaurant in Margate and No. 7311 Cafe in Ventnor. Caesars Entertainment donated $25,000 toward athletic equipment.
Evolution Arena offers six backboards for kids to play basketball. It also includes a high-end sound system, electric divider, new lighting and safety mats.
“We have some really talented athletes in the club, and we are happy to provide a space for them to be scouted by Division 1 schools,” said Koch.
She said they hope to bring in speakers for the club and the community, and allow kids to eat together cafeteria-style. Koch hopes to bring in local organizations like the Leadership Studio to use the arena for large events. In the past, the space was used for COVID-19 vaccination and testing.
ACBGC is a youth service organization that strives toward excellence and success. They offer a variety of services such as educational support (connecting kids with certified teachers after school to help with homework and exams), career exploration and job training, wellness support, mentoring on values and leadership, and recreation in a safe and inclusive organization.
As for the future, Koch says that the club plans to open a cafe in November 2022 in partnership with HayDay Coffee. The cafe will provide job training to young adults ages 18 to 24. All foods will be sourced from the club garden and made from scratch.
“We want to teach kids to stick to a budget, choose healthy foods and drinks, and help them learn to support themselves,” said Koch.
Speaking about her role as the CEO of the club, Koch said, “It’s the most fulfilling role I’ve ever had.
“It’s an honor to work alongside others who believe in the next generation of Atlantic City,” she said. “We let kids explore music studios and build robots. Every kid has potential and we help them look at the options and choose what’s right for them.”
Mayor Marty Small Sr., who attended the grand opening, was a club member himself in his youth. In a press statement, he said, “This club is important to me and children like me because it shows what is possible.” He said he tries to contribute to ACBGC every chance he gets.
“These are goals we cannot reach alone,” said Koch.
If you would like to volunteer or donate to the club, see acbgc.org.
