The Arizona Republic
When the brand new Compadre Branch of the Boys and Girls Clubs of the East Valley opens to the public this fall, there won't be any surprises for Tyeshea Campbell.
Campbell, 16, is part of a group of club members who have been learning about the construction of the $8 million, 32,000 square-foot building from the ground up. The club's staff has teamed up with Chasse Building Team, Inc., the general contractor for the project, to use the construction of the new club as a teaching opportunity for the kids who will use it.
Campbell, 16, is part of a group of club members who have been learning about the construction of the $8 million, 32,000 square-foot building from the ground up. The club's staff has teamed up with Chasse Building Team, Inc., the general contractor for the project, to use the construction of the new club as a teaching opportunity for the kids who will use it.
During spring break, Campbell and about a dozen other Club teens got two chances to tour the construction site after work had finished for the day. The new club is being built right next to the existing one on Chandler Boulevard just east of Arizona.
"I thought it was very interesting to see just how much work goes into building something like this," Campbell said. "We got to see how much hard work and planning it takes. It makes me think about maybe going into architecture."
"I thought it was very interesting to see just how much work goes into building something like this," Campbell said. "We got to see how much hard work and planning it takes. It makes me think about maybe going into architecture."
On the two Thursdays of spring break, club members were divided into three groups, by age, to learn about different aspects of the building process. Project Superintendent Robert Dilzer showed the kids the blueprints for the project and answered their questions about the project or the industry.
The younger groups got to make a cinder block and footing that will be used in the building. The teens got a chance to tour the building and walk its halls (even though there are no walls yet) to see how everything fits together.
"Any time we have a school or a project like this, we like to get the kids involved," Dilzer said. "Not only is it educational, but it cuts down on vandalism and things like that. It also seems like they take care of it better after it opens when they're involved."
The new building has been designed to meet Leadership in Energy and Environmental and Design (LEED) standards. So part of the discussion with each group has revolved around some of those features included in the new building and the importance of recycling.
The new building has been designed to meet Leadership in Energy and Environmental and Design (LEED) standards. So part of the discussion with each group has revolved around some of those features included in the new building and the importance of recycling.
"I didn't know you could turn old blue jeans into insulation for the walls or have old water bottles turned into a new soap dispenser," said Kayla Geans, 11. "Now I want to recycle more."
Dilzer tailored the discussions to the maturity level of each group. With the teen group, he talked about different careers available in construction ranging from laborers to engineers.
"I'm trying to find another job now," said Matthew Solis, a freshman at Chandler Gilbert Community College. "I wouldn't mind doing this for the summer."
Learning how it's made has Jade Edwards, 12, even more excited about the new club, which should be open by September. "I think it will be an awesome building," she said.
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