By Alice Moreno
For 70 years, the non-profit organization Variety Boys and Girls of Queens Club (VBGC), located at 21-12 30th Rd in Astoria, has been a vital resource for children in the area, granting them access to various activities to help them grow as people. Now, the VBGC will be undergoing a massive change that will bring more benefits to the community.
On April 16, the VBGC received a $2.5 million investment from the office of Senator Jessica Ramos to provide new pool facilities. It is a component of the $293 million expansion of the VBGC, which, upon completion, will make it the largest Boys and Girls Club in the country at 116,000 square feet.
The state-of-the-art pool renovation, titled “The Senator Ramos Aquatic Center,” will include a bevy of new features, including a regulation pool, a wading pool to host “Mommy/Daddy and Me” classes, and a new wet locker. The pool was last updated in the early 2000s.
“My own son was one of those kids who learned how to swim right here at the Boys and Girls Club, and it’s been a resource for our young people in this area,” said Costa Constantinides, the CEO of VBGC of Queens. “Which includes the Queensbridge Houses — the largest public housing development in the country — Ravenswood houses, Astoria houses, and Woodside houses, less than a mile away.”
The Senator Ramos Aquatic Center will also be open year-round, a stark contrast from neighboring Astoria Pool, which is typically only open during the summer.
In addition to the new pool features, a plethora of amenities will also be built at the VBGC, such as Queen’s first planetarium, a 400-seat school, and a 1,500-seat arena. The expansion can house over 16,000 people, which increases the number of children being served at the club by 34%. The VBGC will also include 230 units of affordable housing, with 70 of the units being set aside for those aging out of foster care. The entire building will also be carbon-neutral, ensuring sustainability and a healthier planet.
Furthermore, a mental health clinic will be provided on the first floor, making sure that every child is supported and has someone to talk to.
“I remember playing here as a kid growing up, and remember making lots of friends here,” said Senator Jessica Ramos. “We need more spaces like these, so that we are keeping our youth busy and safe. We are giving parents peace of mind, and of course, even the whole family is able to enjoy the resources.”
The new pool expansion will break ground this December and will roughly take 30 months to complete. According to Constantinides, he hopes that every child can use the resources provided to help them grow into strong adults with flourishing careers.
“We want it to be a space where every child, regardless of their zip code or their income, are able to come here and enjoy themselves and to find their passions, and to be able to carry that forward into their lives,” said Constantinides.
