Supporters of the Eastern Branch Boys and Girls Club said they are planning a rally today after an official at the club’s regional office shuttered a long-planned open house that had been scheduled today.
Will Cobb, one of several Ward 6 residents who have lobbied in support of the Eastern Branch, said they had worked with officials from the head office, the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Washington, starting in December to plan an open house at the facility. The purpose of the gathering, in part, was for officials to gauge community interest in the club.
“They helped us plan the thing and then backpeddled out two weeks ago until finally making an announcement Monday,” Cobb said.
Chief Executive Officer Will Gunn said the event had been planned without his knowledge, and he already had plans to go out of town.
“They want to talk about options for the club, so I want to listen as I’ve done in the past,” Gunn said Thursday.
The rally is planned at 2 p.m. at a park across the street from the club, which is located at 261 17th St. Southeast. The open house has been moved to Feb. 25 at 2 p.m.
In January, following weeks of rumors that the club would close because of waning neighborhood interest. The Club said at that time that it was reviewing all of its branches to determine adjustments.
Club officials would not say whether club officials are considering a close.
The Club operates 20 facilities in the Washington area, serving some 20,000 members, Dowdell said. Eleven clubs are located in the District.
“Our goal is to save and improve the Boys and Girls Club,” Cobb said.
