The Kearney Enrichment Council announced on Tuesday, October 11, that they will be expanding their youth programming efforts in a new location. The Enrichment Council plans to use the former ReeceNichols building on Jefferson Street to house a new program called Spark Academy.

The Enrichment Council is launching a capital campaign to help purchase the ReeceNichols space at 307 S Jefferson Street. The space is one block away from the middle school and will be used for project-based and real-world learning after-school programs multiple days of the week.

“Our idea is simple: create a collaborative space that has the flexibility to reach a variety of people,” executive director Kurt Hamilton told KPGZ News. “We can support the Kearney School District, parents, and adults in our community.”

The Enrichment Council’s plan is to start with a location for students to go for real-world learning and career readiness. The building will house technology, collaborative spaces, and career development equipment for students to explore a variety of future paths.

After school programs for middle school and junior high students will involve STEAM-based learning. The Council has run Spark Studios for seven years and it believes the program is ready to be expanded into a five-day-a-week model to support parents.

A final opportunity for the new location is for adult learning opportunities. Adult community classes will cover a wide range of courses including business, recreational, foreign language, and more.

“These opportunities will allow our community to have a resource for continuing education,” said Hamilton. “Each of these three concepts flows together under one idea that adds a new community amenity.”

The Kearney Enrichment Council is asking for community support for the project. They are launching a fundraising campaign to help purchase the new space. Currently they have coordinated with a few donors who want to match funds received, doubling the donations.

“This is an amazing opportunity to help raise money right here in Kearney, for Kearney, Hamilton added.

For more information and to donate to this campaign please visit: kearneyfirehouse.org/donate

KPGZ News - Brian Watts contributed to this story