Ralph Wilson Youth Club Reveals Plans For New Facility – Announces One Million Dollar Match Challenge

The Ralph Wilson Youth Club has announced plans for a new 60,000 square foot facility to be located on the campus of Temple ISD’s Travis Science Academy on South 25th Street in Temple. The Youth Club, which houses both a Boys and Girls Club, will take up temporary quarters at Emerson School until the new facility is completed.

The current Club, which has been located just off I-35 in Temple since 1970, is being moved to accommodate expansions to the highway. Executive Director Charlie Kimmey, in a statement released Thursday afternoon said, “We see this as a new challenge for RWYC as an amazing opportunity to propel us toward the construction of a new facility.” That new facility would allow RWYC to expand upon educational, recreational and athletic services the organization offers Temple area children.

Funds for the new facility are being raised by the Moment In Time Campaign, Ralph Wilson’s capital campaign. Chairman Wendell Williams, in a press release issued Thursday afternoon, announced the campaign’s goal of raising $6,500,000, approximately $2,800,000 of which has been committed so far. Williams has announced that a $1,000,000 matching/challenge campaign gift from an anonymous source was recently donated. Now RWYC and City leaders are calling on area business, civic organizations and citizens to respond to that matching gift.

The Ralph Wilson Youth Club has served the Temple area since its founding in 1965 by Ralph Wilson Sr. The Club serves more than 350 children in its After School Program and more than 800 during its Summer Session, and is also host to a youth basketball program. The Moment In Time Campaign hopes the new facility can accommodate even more children and, in cooperation with the Temple Independent School District and other community organizations, introduce expanded services to aid area children in their educational and athletic success.

For more information, you can contact the Moment In Time Campaign at (254) 773-9001 or check out the Ralph Wilson Youth Club website.