Our Story

The Evolution of BGC Cranbrook:

The Cranbrook Boys’ Club

For more than 55 years, BGC Cranbrook has been a safe, supportive, and inspiring place for children and youth in our community. What began in 1970 as a small Boys’ Club has grown into a vibrant organization that serves young people from birth through their teen years across multiple sites. Our story is rooted in creating opportunities, breaking down barriers, and building a sense of belonging—ensuring every child and teen has a place to learn, grow, and discover their potential.

1970

Concerned by the number of young boys spending time on the streets, a group of caring Cranbrook residents came together with a vision—to create a safe, supportive space just for them. That vision became the Cranbrook Boys’ Club. On opening day, an incredible 100 boys signed up.

1973: The Cranbrook Boys’ and Girls’ Club

As our programs grew, so did the diversity of the children we served. With more and more girls wanting to join our activities, the Cranbrook Boys’ Club proudly became the Cranbrook Boys’ and Girls’ Club. On the very first day of registration under our new name, 150 girls signed up—showing just how important it was to create a space where every child felt welcome.

1974

In 1974, when the old Armoury Building was condemned, we suddenly found ourselves in need of a new home. The City of Cranbrook stepped in with incredible support, offering us the space at 1404 2nd Street North. What started as a solution in a time of uncertainty has become a cornerstone of our story—the very building we still proudly call home today.

1987

In 1987, we expanded our reach by opening PrimeTime Afterschool Care—our first licensed school-age program. This new chapter gave school aged children a safe and engaging space to learn, play, and grow after the school bell rang.

 1988

In 1988, we opened our Building Blocks program, welcoming children ages 3–5 years into a safe, nurturing, and play-based environment. This program quickly became an important part of supporting early learning and development in our community.

2009

In 2009, our Club expanded into a second building and opened YouthWise, an afterschool program designed for children in grades 3–6. This new space offered children a safe place to learn, play, and build friendships after school.

  2011

In 2011, we opened our Stepping Stones program, our first infant toddler Program for children from birth to 35 months. This program created a warm, supportive environment where our youngest community members could learn, grow, and thrive.

2015

In 2015, we opened Youth Impact after recognizing the lack of programming for teens once they aged out of YouthWise. This free program for youth up to grade 12 was created to fill that gap—giving young people a safe space to belong, explore new opportunities, and stay connected with their community.

2018

In 2018, we launched the Wildwood Outdoor Program—an after-school program held entirely in nature. This unique program gave youth a safe space outside of a traditional facility where they could explore, play, and connect with the outdoors all year round.

2020

The COVID-19 pandemic brought challenges none of us could have imagined. While our programs were paused for a time, our commitment to community never wavered. During those months, staff focused on supporting local families by hand-delivering food hampers to those in need—reaching 12 families over four months and providing more than 250 meals. It was a difficult time, but it reminded us just how strong and caring our community truly is.

A Difficult Goodbye, and a Lasting Legacy

2020 was also the year we made the difficult decision to close our Wildwood Outdoor Program. With the challenges of the pandemic and constantly changing safety requirements, continuing to operate the program became unsustainable. Though Wildwood came to an end, its spirit lives on in our commitment to providing meaningful, hands-on experiences that connect children with the outdoors and their community

Belonging in Uncertain Times

During the pandemic, Youth Impact quickly shifted online to ensure teens still had a place to connect with Club staff and their peers. Through virtual art sessions, cooking classes, and games, youth were able to stay engaged, supported, and connected—reminding us that even when our doors were closed, our sense of community stayed wide open.

2021

In 2021, Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada rebranded to BGC Canada, reflecting that not all children and youth identify as a boy or a girl, and that teens on the cusp of adulthood didn’t think of themselves in those terms. This important change ensured our name better represents the inclusivity and belonging that have always been at the heart of our Club.

Introducing: Kootenay Street Clubhouse

In June 2021, we opened our Kootenay Street Clubhouse, bringing all of our after-school care programs together under one roof. This new space created a central hub where children could learn, play, and build friendships in a safe, supportive environment.

With the opening of the Kootenay Street Clubhouse in 2021, we restructured our after-school programs to better serve families. This change meant saying goodbye to Prime Time and reimagining Youth Wise as the 7th Avenue Clubhouse. 

2022

In 2022, we made the difficult decision to close our 7th Avenue Clubhouse due to ongoing staffing challenges. While it was hard to say goodbye to a space that had served so many families, this decision allowed us to focus our resources on strengthening programs at our remaining Clubhouses—ensuring we could continue providing high-quality, consistent care for children and youth.

2025

In 2025, we proudly opened Steeples Clubhouse, marking our first-ever partnership with School District #5. Located at Steeples Elementary, this licensed childcare program allows us to serve even more families right where children learn and grow. Having care operating directly within the school makes it easier for parents, creates seamless transitions for kids, and strengthens our connection to the community.

So Where Are We Today?

Since 1970, BGC Cranbrook has been delivering high-quality programs that support children, youth, and families in our community. As a proud member in good standing with BGC Canada, we continue to grow and adapt to meet the needs of Cranbrook’s young people.

Today, BGC Cranbrook is:

• The largest provider of licensed child care, after-school care, and youth programming in Cranbrook—serving over 100 children and youth every weekday.

• The only non-profit organization in Cranbrook offering child and youth services from birth through age 18, ensuring every young person has a place to belong at every stage of their development.

• A registered charity and non-profit society, guided by a dedicated volunteer board of directors who represent the heart of our community.

Together with our families, staff, volunteers, and supporters, we continue to build safe, supportive spaces where young people can discover who they are, grow into who they want to be, and make their mark on the world.