Boys & Girls Club Hartford, LaPenta Northwest Club

The mission of the Boys & Girls Clubs is to enable all young people, especially those who need them most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, and responsible citizens. JCJ has a valued relationship with the Boys and Girls Clubs of Hartford (BGCH) that stretches back decades.

BGCH sought to update the Joseph D. Lapenta Northwest Club. The facility had not undergone significant updates since its opening in 1964. Priorities included addressing accessibility and code upgrades, reconfiguration of interior spaces to maximize programmatic flow and operational needs, and a full refresh of all interior finishes.

JCJ brought the many lessons learned and approach to advocacy from the work at the BGCH Southend Club to the LaPenta project. In the early planning we brought a strategic mindset in evaluating identified to be demolished and those to be renovated. The team reconfigured spaces to provide accessibility and a new large “overlook” room with open views into the Gymnasium. All new furnishes, fixtures and finishes were provided for the Homework Room, Arts Room, Makerspace Room, Video/Recording Room, Game Room and Teen Room. The renovated Multipurpose Room provides support for current programs and flexibility for the various after school activities and summer camp activities programs. MEP, IT and AV systems were all upgraded.

The process of adding larger exterior windows and introducing interior glazing brought in more natural light, introduce interior transparency and transformed the character and physical atmosphere of the Club. The team worked closely with the Construction Manager to manage the budget and maximize value to the LaPenta community.