Boys & Girls Club is raising funds to renovate former armory

The Boys & Girls Club of Merrill currently runs under the Wausau Chapter while serving youth in Merrill at Prairie River Middle School. However, the club is looking to expand into a full-service, year-round Boys & Girls Club that can support many more area kids in a much wider age range.
Toward that end, the Club is raising funds to renovate the former National Guard Armory building at the Merrill Fairgrounds into its full-time future location.
The City of Merrill purchased the Armory and invited the Club to be a long-term tenant. “But before the armory can become a Club site, renovations and updates need to be made,” said Boys & Girls Club Chief Executive Officer Kim Larsen. “The building was built in 1953, well used as an armory, and is in great shape. Our vision is to create classrooms, a gymnasium, a teaching kitchen, and a playground — all spaces where young people can learn and grow.”
“This is an incredible opportunity for the community today, tomorrow, and for decades to come,” said City of Merrill Administrator Rod Akey. “But it can’t happen without the support of the community.”
To kick off the fundraising, Jim, Maria, and Jameson Brickner of Brickners Park City made a generous $20,000 donation to the project. “We are very excited to see the Boys & Girls Club expanding into the old armory and be able to provide even more things for kids to do after school and during the summer,” the Brickners said. “We encourage everybody in the Merrill Community to check out the project and help support the repurposing of the unused property to better future generations of young people.”

“On behalf of the Boys & Girls Club, we would like to thank the Brickner family for believing in the mission of the Boys & Girls Club and the programs, services, and opportunities we offer throughout the year,” Larsen said. “Together we are enriching and transforming the lives of young people.”
When completed, the new site will allow the Club to serve 120 kids and teens daily after school and throughout the summer months, she said.
To learn more about the project and the Club, to tour the facility, or to donate to the renovation project, contact Larsen at kiml@bgclub.com or 715.845.2582. More information is also available at bgclub.com/merrill.