Boys & Girls Club’s “The Landing” clears major fundraising hurdle; groundbreaking expected early 2026
PLACERVILLE — The Boys & Girls Club of El Dorado County — Western Slope announced Monday that last Friday’s Tee It Up for the Kids golf tournament raised $200,000 toward The Landing, a planned 40-acre sports, recreation and teen-center project intended to expand youth services on the western slope. The club says it plans to break ground in early 2026.
The Landing is conceived as a public-private sports complex and youth campus near Placerville that the Boys & Girls Club and community partners hope will provide expanded athletics, mentorship and teen programming for local children. The organization’s project page describes the effort as an investment opportunity to build capacity and serve more young people across El Dorado County’s western slope.
“Our community showed up in a big way — $200,000 raised at the tournament is a major step toward making The Landing a reality,” the club posted on its social media account. “We can’t wait to break ground in early 2026 — it will take a village to make it happen, but together, we’ll get it done!” The message was shared on the club’s Instagram and Facebook feeds.
Why it matters to El Dorado County
The Boys & Girls Club Western Slope already serves hundreds of children daily through its clubhouses, meals and after-school programs — statistics the group highlights when asking for community support. Supporters say The Landing would add fields, courts, a dedicated teen center and space for expanded programming that local families and youth groups currently travel outside the county to find. Proponents argue these assets will boost youth health, reduce transportation barriers and create local volunteer and employment opportunities.
Sean McCartney, listed as the club’s CEO, has been a public spokesman at community meetings and service-club presentations about The Landing, describing the project as a long-term investment in the county’s youth infrastructure. Local civic groups such as the Rotary Club of Cameron Park have invited club leadership to present details to members and potential supporters.
The club reports the $200,000 raised at last week’s golf fundraiser will be applied to initial site preparation, design work and the club’s capital campaign for The Landing. Club leaders say additional private donations, grants and public-sector partnerships will be required to complete the multi-phase project. Organizers are continuing fundraising and outreach; interested donors and community members are directed to the club’s project page for details.
“Our communities have very little for our boys and girls,” a past statement attributed to club leadership said in outreach materials — underscoring the project’s focus on increasing local options for recreation and youth development. Officials emphasize the Landing will be a community resource open to families across the western slope.
Local service organizations and business leaders welcomed the fundraising milestone. Supporters say the project could keep more economic activity and volunteer opportunities local while expanding safe, supervised activities for teens and younger children. Critics or skeptics, if any surface, are likely to focus on funding gaps, long-term maintenance costs and traffic or land-use questions as the project advances toward permitting and construction — standard concerns for large recreation developments in semi-rural areas.
The Boys & Girls Club’s project page for The Landing includes background, contact information and donation options at bgce.org/s/thelanding. The club’s main office is listed at 2840 Mallard Lane, Placerville.
Quick facts
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$200,000 raised at the Tee It Up for the Kids golf tournament announced last week.
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The Landing is described as a roughly 40-acre sports and teen-center project slated to break ground in early 2026.
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Boys & Girls Club Western Slope serves hundreds of youth daily and provides more than 100,000 meals annually through its programs.
Inception & Early Years
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The Boys & Girls Club of El Dorado County Western Slope officially began daily programs on June 2, 1999. On that date, the Club started operating in Placerville using the Armory building at the fairgrounds, made available through the National Guard.
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The organization was later formally established as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in 1997, according to IRS-records. There’s a slight tension in dates: the IRS date suggests formation in 1997, while the “daily programs” start date is 1999. It’s common with non-profits to incorporate first, then roll out programming once facilities, staffing, funding, and partnerships are in place.
Milestones & Facility Growth
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In June 2003, a technology center was dedicated adjacent to the Armory. That center included 12 computers in a learning center environment and was one of the early steps toward providing digital learning and helping ensure members weren’t left behind in the “age of technology.”
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A major recent milestone: in November 2016, the Club moved into a new 15,000 square-foot clubhouse facility in Placerville. The new facility included a full-size gymnasium, a commercial kitchen, computer lab, music room, art room, game room, and teen room.
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Around that time (late 2016), the City of Placerville formally recognized the Club for its contributions, particularly for the new facility, named for the Jim & Maureen Carter Family (significant donors). The recognition cited that over 400 El Dorado County donors helped raise more than $3 million for construction of the new Placerville clubhouse.
Mission, Services & Reach
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From its early days, the Club’s mission has been “to enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, and responsible citizens.” That mission aligns with the broader Boys & Girls Clubs of America goals.
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The Club serves youth from roughly ages 5 to 18 at multiple sites (Placerville, Georgetown, Pollock Pines etc.), offering after-school, summer, and youth-led programs.
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Over time, its service capacity has grown: the number of meals served, locations, programs, and physical facilities expanded as donor contributions and community support increased.
Recent & Organizational Details
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According to financial / nonprofit tax information: For fiscal year 2024, the Club’s revenue was approximately $4 million, with expenses of about $3.43 million.
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As of that reporting, the Club employed about 91 persons.
Key Takeaways & Context
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The Club has evolved from modest beginnings (using the Armory facility) to a substantial, multi-location nonprofit serving hundreds of youth daily.
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Community investment has been central to its growth (fundraising, facility donors, local recognition).
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The Club’s growth reflects increasing awareness of the need for structured youth services in El Dorado County’s western slope — both for after-school hours and broader development (technology, teen programs, etc.).
🕰️ Timeline: The Boys & Girls Club of El Dorado County Western Slope
1997 — Incorporation
🟦 Officially established as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization to serve youth on the Western Slope of El Dorado County.
📍 Mission: To enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens.
June 2, 1999 — Daily Programs Begin
🏫 First programs launched at the Placerville Armory through cooperation with the National Guard.
👧👦 Provided a safe after-school space for local youth and teens.
2003 — Technology Center Opens
💻 A dedicated computer and learning lab with 12 stations established at the Armory site.
🎯 Focus: improving digital literacy and bridging the technology gap for local kids.
2015–2016 — Community Campaign for a New Clubhouse
🏗️ A $3 million community-driven capital campaign launched, supported by more than 400 donors across El Dorado County.
🤝 Major donors included the Jim & Maureen Carter Family, after whom the new facility was named.
November 2016 — Grand Opening of New Placerville Clubhouse
🎉 Ribbon-cutting for a 15,000 sq. ft. facility featuring a gym, art and music rooms, teen lounge, computer lab, and commercial kitchen.
🏀 Became a hub for year-round youth programs, athletics, and meals.
2019–2023 — Program Expansion
🥗 Grew meal services to over 100,000 annually.
📍 Expanded to serve youth in Placerville, Pollock Pines, Georgetown, and surrounding communities.
2024 — Launch of “The Landing” Vision
🌄 Announced plans for The Landing, a 40-acre youth sports and recreation campus near Placerville.
🗓️ Groundbreaking targeted for early 2026.
💰 Tee It Up for the Kids golf fundraiser raised $200,000 toward the project.
2026 — Planned Groundbreaking for The Landing
🚜 Site preparation and design underway.
🤲 The community continues fundraising to make this next chapter possible.
