Shaquille O'Neal Foundation Brings Youth Facility to Las Vegas

Retired NBA player Shaquille O'Neal partners with the Boys & Girls Club of Southern Nevada to open a new youth facility...

From KTNV

Several community organizations are coming together to bring a new youth facility to life in east Las Vegas.

On Wednesday, The Shaquille O'Neal Foundation, Boys & Girls Club of Southern Nevada, and Communities In Schools of Southern Nevada announced plans for a new 17,000-square-foot facility, which will be located near N. Lamb Boulevard and Kell Lane.

The new facility will sit on five acres of land, which was donated by the Clark County School District.

According to President and CEO, Boys & Girls Clubs of Southern Nevada Andy Bischel, the facility will help serve the community by providing services for a wide range of ages.

"There's an early childhood development center. That's licensed childcare. That's infant to five years old. Boys & Girls Club, six to 18. Communities In Schools, 18 to 24," Bischel said. "We're taking care of kids from infancy to 24 years of age. Those things all come together and make this an ideal project for everybody."

Perry Rogers, who is the chairman of The Shaquille O'Neal Foundation's board, said this project will also be a first.

"It's the first alumni center for Communities In Schools in America. It's the first time that Communities In Schools in America and the Boys & Girls Club are going to be building a facility together in the country," Rogers explained. "We hope that will take place many, many, many more times."

O'Neal also serves on the national board for Communities In Schools. He has been active in the Las Vegas community hosting fundraising events like The Event at the MGM Grand, which raises money for his foundation, and using that money to give back through events like the annual Shaq-a-Claus and Shaq-To-School programs.