A CHILD’S PATH TO A GREAT FUTURE BEGINS HERE
BGC Moncton has been a safe and supportive place where children and youth have experienced new opportunities, overcome barriers, built positive relationships, and developed confidence and skills for life for almost seven decades.
Fraser Woodhouse, the Eastern Regional Director of the Boys Clubs of Canada, comes to Moncton to explore the possibility of establishing a Boys Club in the city, since the existing club operates on a smaller scale and focuses primarily on boys who have been in trouble.
Mr. Woodhouse contacts several prominent citizens, including Mr. Hall, Mr. Betts, the City Director of Recreation, Mr. J.A. Keefe, and Judge W. Lane. Letters are sent out requesting assistance with the Club, and the Moncton Boys Club officially comes into being on September 16, 1957. The first President-elect is Mr. Pat Geary from Montreal. The Club was officially incorporated in 1959.
The first operating grant from the City of Moncton is followed by support from the United Veterans Council. With monetary and executive representation from the Air Force Veterans Club, #31 R.A.F. Club, C.N.R. War Veterans Club, Main Brace Veterans Club, and the R.C.A.F. Association Wing, the Veterans Council is key in keeping the Boys Club going through its many early growing pains.
Several locations are used in the first few years, including the #10 Release Centre, St. Henri School, and Beauséjour School. Eventually, the Kinsmen Club donates a building valued at $130,000—a colossal undertaking for a service club.
On November 24, 1962, at 3:00 p.m., the new building was officially opened with a membership of 188 boys. The gymnasium of the new Club is a gift from one of the founding members, Judge W. Lane. Coinciding with the opening is the establishment of the Boy of the Year Award, given in memory of Dr. C.H. Blakeney and presented to the Boys Club by the Honourable L.G. DesBrisay.
In 1966, the Club program was expanded to include girls as well as boys. During this time, the Club also introduced a “Girl of the Year” award, sponsored by J. Harold Wallace.
In the same year, the Parkton Heights Day Care was formed through a government grant to address the growing community need for pre-school services. It later falls under the jurisdiction of BGC Moncton Inc. In 1991, the name was changed to Little Treasures Child Care Centre.
