Canon Perdido Boys & Girls Club contract with United Boys & Girls Clubs of Santa Barbara County to end in mid-June
SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – The agreement between the United Boys and Girls Club of Santa Barbara County and the Canon Perdido Street downtown facility will terminate as of June 14.
The United Boys and Girls Club of Santa Barbara County explained in a press release about the contract termination on Monday, May 6, 2024, that the Canon Perdido Street facility had not provided a payment since 2021 and that the missing payments are currently impacting overall operations across the county.
United Boys & Girls Club CEO Michael Baker said it is not just about funds.
"We haven't received any payments for two years to support the operation that was part of the merger agreement," said Baker. "They were supposed to support the United Organization that is one, the second component is they asked us to leave, they don't want us here, so because of that, what are we supposed to do, so, our board made the very tough decision that we are going the leave."
According to the Downtown Boys and Girls Club of Santa Barbara, not to be confused with the United Boys and Girls Club of Santa Barbara County, the rent charged to United amounted to $1 per year.
Since 2020, the Canon Perdido facility was under an operating agreement that was signed instead of a full merger of the clubs detailed the United Boys and Girls Club of Santa Barbara County.
The Canon Perdido property retained ownership of the site, agreed to financially support the United Boys and Girls Club of Santa Barbara County, and retained control of an independent endowment explained United Boys and Girls Club of Santa Barbara County.
The Downtown Boys and Girls Club of Santa Barbara added that the operating agreement also required United Boys and Girls Club of Santa Barbara County to maintain the teen-focused programs at the Canon Perdido location which is located across the street from Santa Barbara High School
Mark Alvarado used to play basketball at the club when he was in high school.
He now serves as the President of the Downtown Boys & Girls Club Alumni Association and says members want to bring teens back.
"We want to restore the legacy of the Downtown Boys & Girls Club and the legacy of services of serving all kids and youth, teens, bringing back our sports programs that we are well known for."
The Boys and Girls Club of Santa Barbara has operated out of the 632 Canon Perdido facility since its foundation in 1938 and was operated independently of the nationwide United Boys and Girls Club which was founded in the 1970s detailed the Boys and Girls Club of Santa Barbara in a press release Tuesday, May 7, 2024, issued in response to the announced dissolution and your news channel's reporting.
The organizations operated separately and provided programming for local youth of different ages explained the Downtown Boys and Girls Club of Santa Barbara.
Part of the operating agreement between the youth organizations required that all existing programs continue despite the change in management detailed the Downtown Boys and Girls Club of Santa Barbara.
"After approximately two years of operation, the Downtown Boys and Girls Club of Santa Barbara
felt that those objectives were unfortunately not being met," stated a press release from the Downtown Boys and Girls of Santa Barbara. "United {Boys and Girls Club of Santa Barbara County} was not maintaining the same programs that BGCSB had developed, and the critical teen population was not being served by United and was being neglected."
But United's Baker said teen numbers are down nationwide at clubs.
He said during and after COVID-19, many teens chose to get jobs rather than attend club activities.
He said there are currently ten clubs between Lompoc and Carpinteria with two in downtown Santa Barbara.
When the change of operation occurred in mid-June, Baker said he intends to provide transportation for current members to get to the other club still affiliated with the nationwide organization at 602 W Anapamu St.
"Our driving objective following the unfortunate termination of our operating agreement is to continue to ensure we serve the children and families with our Boys and Girls Club programs at our Westside club," stated Michael Baker who serves as the Chief Executive Officer of the United Boys and Girls Clubs of Santa Barbara County.
"Our Club staff are currently reaching out to families to ensure they know how to find us and schedule transportation to the other clubs," added Nicholas Behrman, Chairman of the Board for the United Boys and Girls Clubs of Santa Barbara County.
Baker has invited parents to a meeting to discuss the situation this week.
Andrea Lindberg is likely to be at the meering.
She hopes her son will stay at the Canon Perdido location.
"I love it, it is convenient, I was born and raised here, I am a Don and I work three blocks away in case of emergency he is right here."
Her son Michael, 8, believes the club helps kids.
He said he likes science
"There is supper, snacks and there is a lab, too," said Michael.
All the adults involved said children are their top priority.
According to the Downtown Boys and Girls Club of Santa Barbara, the Canon Perdido facility will offer new and expanded operations for youth beginning in July of this year.
