Boys & Girls Club breaks ground on new Las Cruces facility, seeks final $4M for project
The Boys & Girls Club of Las Cruces broke ground on a new 30,000-square-foot facility and is seeking $4 million to complete its $12 million campaign.
Project on El Paseo Road aims to triple youth capacity as organization seeks remaining $4M in funding
Organ Mountain News report
LAS CRUCES - The Boys & Girls Club of Las Cruces broke ground Thursday on a new facility at 1005 El Paseo Road, marking the start of construction on a project aimed at expanding services for youth across Doña Ana County.
The organization also launched the public phase of its $12 million capital campaign to fund the project, which will replace the former Allen Theatres Video 4 site with a 30,000-square-foot facility.
Club officials said the new building is expected to triple the number of youth served.
The organization has raised $8.3 million toward its goal and is seeking an additional $4 million from businesses, foundations and individual donors.
"Our community has been incredibly generous in investing in this project, and we are grateful to everyone who has shown their support," said Ashley Echavarria, CEO of the Boys & Girls Club of Las Cruces. "We know there is still progress to be made, but we are willing to do whatever it takes to get us there. Seeing the excitement of our Club members is what keeps us inspired — they deserve a space that can not only meet their needs now, but for generations of youth to come."
The club purchased the property from the Allen family in early 2025.
Thursday’s groundbreaking ceremony, sponsored by Oracle, drew city and county officials, donors and community members. U.S. Rep. Gabe Vasquez and Las Cruces City Councilor Cassie McClure spoke at the event.
McClure said the project could play a role in ongoing efforts to redevelop the El Paseo corridor.
“The Boys & Girls Club will serve as a catalyst to reimagine what this corridor could be: a future where more young people in this community have a place to go, a reason to connect to mentors and peers, and a chance to thrive,” McClure said.
The Boys & Girls Club has operated out of its current facility, a former church, since 1965.
Construction on the new building is expected to be completed in late 2027.
For more information or to contribute to the campaign, contact Ashley Echavarria at ashley@bgclascruces.org or 575-526-1519.
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