Banner Lake invites public to the official Ribbon Cutting of their new Community Center

When a community unites to help those in need the ripple effect is a powerful life changing force.  That’s just what’s happening in Banner Lake, a historic and underserved neighborhood in Hobe Sound. The nonprofit Banner Lake Club had outgrown their aging facility, a vibrant community fixture in the heart of Banner Lake since the 1930s. Through the generosity and passionate commitment of private donors, funds were raised and a new building was constructed providing an opportunity for the Banner Lake Club to vastly expand and sustain its programs and services.

In celebration of the new Community Center’s much anticipated completion, an official ribbon cutting ceremony, grand tour and BBQ will take place on Friday, October 11 from 4:30 pm – 6:00 pm at the Center, located at 12212 SE Lantana Avenue in Hobe Sound.  The public is invited to attend along with residents, volunteers, students, dignitaries and community partners.

The Banner Lake Club has evolved since its founding more than 80 years ago, serving as a gathering place for special events, educational programs, a food pantry and senior services. The original Club facility also housed the popular Banner Lake After School Time for Children (B.L.A.S.T) program which it will continue to offer in its new expanded space.

B.L.A.S.T provides youth, ages 5 through 18, with free after school and summer programming including homework assistance, arts and crafts, music, physical fitness and health and wellness activities and services.

The new Community Center will enable B.L.A.S.T to increase its impact, growing the number of youth served from 35 to 65 students during the school year, and more than 100 in the summer.

The new expanded facility will now also serve as home to a private Academy for local kindergarten and first graders, initially totaling 24 students. The Academy is designed to nurture children in a safe environment with a small student-to-teacher ratio, providing them with an optimal learning environment upon which to build a strong educational foundation.

“This remarkable new Community Center and Academy is a game changer for the Banner Lake community and would not have been possible without the incredible generosity of many donors,” said Missy Crisp, Board Member and long-time philanthropist. “We are delighted this wonderful gift to Banner Lake is at last a reality and we will be able to provide even more opportunities to better the lives of those living in and around the community.”

In addition to private individual donations, grant funding from both the Children’s Services Council of Martin County and the Hobe Sound Community Chest made the Academy and the expansion of the B.L.A.S.T. program a reality.

“It is truly amazing to have something so positive and beneficial to the residents of our Banner Lake community,” said Chenelle Weaver, a longtime resident of the Banner Lake neighborhood. “My child is attending the new Banner Lake Academy and loves it! The class size is much smaller than public school and it shows in the positive behavior and improved academics of the children. As a mother, that makes me so happy and proud.”

For more information about the ribbon cutting ceremony, BBQ, and grand tour of the new facility, or to RSVP, please call 772-545-0953 or email office@thebannerlakeclubinc.org.  The event is free and the public is invited to celebrate this special event along with residents, volunteers, students, dignitaries and community partners.

About Banner Lake Club, Inc.

The Banner Lake Club (BLC) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization whose mission is to improve the quality of life for Hobe Sound residents, primarily those in and around the Banner Lake Community who require income assistance. Housed in a new Community Center completed in September 2019, BLC provides community and educational services including a free after school and summer program called B.L.A.S.T. (Banner Lake After School Time) for children ages 5-18 as well as a new Academy for kindergarten and first graders. BLC also has a Teen Program, a Food Pantry, Community Café, Soup Kitchen and a Senior Meals Program that delivers meals to qualifying seniors. For more information visit their website www.thebannerlakeclubinc.org, call 772-402-5167 or email office@thebannerlakeclubinc.org.