WATERTOWN – The Watertown Boys & Girls Club has completed a major renovation of its lower level, unveiling a modern, flexible space that will soon serve as the home of a new licensed after school program. The initiative, called KidConnect, is scheduled to begin this September and will accommodate up to 38 children in kindergarten through third grade.

Designed to meet the growing demand for after school care in the city, the program is sanctioned by the Massachusetts Department of Education and Early Care. The revitalized space, once occupied by a long-term daycare tenant, has been transformed from a series of small rooms into a bright, open layout built to support both structured programming and community use.

The lower level of the Club will remain active beyond school hours. Once the KidConnect program concludes each day at 6 p.m., the area will be available for teen programming and a range of community-focused events, including meetings, adult education sessions, and programs for individuals with special needs.

Planning for the project began years ago under the Club’s Strategic Planning Committee. With support from past and present board members, the renovation was prioritized to enhance the Club’s capacity and long-term impact on local youth. Club leadership also emphasized that the new facility will help ease capacity strains currently facing after school programs in the Watertown Public Schools.

Enrollment for the KidConnect program began earlier this spring and is nearly full ahead of the September launch. The new space is expected to serve as both an educational resource and a gathering point for broader community engagement.

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