When Calderon Clubhouse was built in 1975, the gymnasium was an important part of it. It was used a lot over the years, and by 2022 the hardwood floor had become slick and dangerous to use.
That’s why the Boys & Girls Clubs of San Antonio applied for one of our 2022 High Impact Grants. The $100,000 grant they received funded a shiny new floor, wall padding and new basketball backstops. The facility had its debut at an Impact San Antonio event on August 30.
The facility is important in the clubhouse’s West Side neighborhood, said Brittany Ewing, Grants and National Partnership Coordinator for the Boys & Girls Clubs of San Antonio. Inner-city parents often work multiple jobs, by necessity leaving their school-age children unsupervised after school, and that can be fertile ground for misconduct.
According to current statistics, the Calderon Clubhouse serves 225 school-age children annually, 95 percent of whom identify as an ethnic minority. Some 97 percent qualify for free lunches, and 68 percent are raised in single-parent homes. The median annual income is $26,000, and gang recruitment is common in the area.
“Studies have found, however, that after-school programs, especially those that include exercise and sports, provide immense benefits such as lowering the risk of misconduct, fighting and gang involvement,” Ms. Ewing said. “Boys & Girls Clubs sports programming addresses other health-related themes such as bullying, empowerment and conflict resolution.
“The gym serves as an essential component to our after-school programming, youth enrichment and development, and community outreach,” she said. “Boys & Girls Clubs gyms are used daily for recreational play, Power-Hour and Healthy Habits programming, and competitive play by our sports leagues. It is in these gyms where underserved youth have access to health-promoting experiences and can nurture self-growth, participate in structured sports, and learn about healthy choices and nutrition.”
The new flooring is called Sport Court, which is a technological upgrade from traditional hardwood flooring. Instead of long boards, it is a floating floor made with durable polypropylene tiles that are easier to replace than boards. It provides better shock absorption to protect players from injury, Ms. Ewing said.
Club members are excited about the renovated facility, and staff members are delighted to see its effects on the youngsters and their families.
Sports coach Jonathan Coronado said, “Seeing the finished product has been a huge blessing, especially since our last gym had been the same for more than 40 years. Safe floor for safe playing! I cannot wait to see what the future may hold for Calderon gymnasium.”
Ana Saenz, CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of San Antonio, praised Impact SA for enabling the gym upgrade.
“We’re honored by this absolutely incredible project made possible by the women of Impact San Antonio,” she said. “The new gym floor at our Calderon Clubhouse is a great improvement on the sustainability and safety in our clubhouse.
“The space is more than just a place to have fun. It’s a crucial component to the success of our youth, and we can’t wait to see our youth be impacted for generations to come.”
