Feedback from leaders of the Shaquille O’Neal Boys & Girls Club at the September 7 regular meeting of the Henry County Board of Commissioners was quite positive.

The facility opened in August of last year at the former Henry County Middle School campus, a move made possible by a public-private partnership that included an investment of more than $1 million for renovations and initial operating costs. It currently costs about $530,000 per year to operate the facility, officials said.

A key member of that partnership is Henry County government, which invested an initial $300,000 for facility renovations as well as $150,000 toward operations such as staff costs, programming, and facility maintenance. David Jernigan, president & CEO of the Boys and Girls Club of Metro Atlanta, commended the county at the meeting for this show of support.  

“I always point to Henry County as an example of a community that is stepping up and investing in their youth,” said Jernigan.

“You all are really setting the standard across metro Atlanta,” added Jesse Coltrane, who heads the local chapter.

The club had 202 members during its initial registration period, and that number rose to 370 during the first year. Members have access to diverse programming that includes basketball, volleyball, flag football, dance, cheer, tennis, music education, and even STEM/STEAM education lessons.  

Because the club is embedded in a community center, it is able to overlap with other services and give families even more service offerings while also lowering the cost of rent, officials said.

Dee Clemmons, who first championed the idea of a Boys & Girls Club to her fellow county commissioners several years ago and who also serves as the chair of the club’s board, expressed thankfulness along with her thoughts on the long-term success of the undertaking.   

“This board stepped up. I just wanted to thank my colleagues for their support,” Clemmons said. “If a community wants a club … then the community has to step up and make the investment. I hope that whoever is here will continue to invest in the future of this county.” 

Clemmons added a specific word of thanks to Gary Barham, who passed away in March of last year.  

“I want to give a shout out to Gary,” said Clemmons. “It was Gary who found this building and said, ‘I went to this school, this is where I want this club to be.’”