Boys and Girls Club of the Caverns in need $800,000 to continue project

By Gage Wilson, Glasgow News 1

CAVE CITY, Ky. (Glasgow News 1) – One project in the Cave City area is awaiting funding needed to continue construction.

According to a report by Glasgow News 1, the Boys and Girls Club of the Caverns needs $800,000 to proceed with the project, however, officials involved with it say they are not giving up.

The report says this follows another round of construction bids in February to renovate a former Houchens grocery store at 101 N. First St.

According to the report, Matt Pedigo with the Barren River Area Development District says the organization and the city are attempting to locate additional money.

“Regarding the Boys and Girls Club, we haven’t given up yet; we (BRADD and the City of Cave City) are pursuing other funding sources that I can’t lay out the details of at this time,” Pedigo wrote. “We do need about $800,000 to cover the gap between the most recent construction bids (from February 2026) and the CDBG grant/local match budget that we have.”

According to Glasgow News 1, February bids served as a second attempt to secure a contractor for the project after the first round opened in November 2025 returned “well beyond the available budget.”

Despite the second attempt for bids, the report says the gap remains.

According to Glasgow News 1, the city received a $750,000 grant for the project, with additional matching funds through the Boys and Girls Club of Glasgow-Barren County. By October last year, the report says around $1.1 million was available for this project.

Glasgow News 1 says the building needs “extensive interior and exterior work, including electrical, HVAC, roofing, masonry” and more.

According to the report, the current situation has brought up discussions about the building.

This includes a comment by Cave City Councilman Clifton Parsley, who reportedly is inquiring if “the city should continue pursuing the project if the funding gap cannot be overcome and suggested the property could instead be cleared for additional downtown parking,” Glasgow News 1 stated.

“Any decisions on the future of the project would be up to Cave City and/or the Boys and Girls Club of Glasgow/Barren County,” Pedigo wrote.

We will continue to follow this story and bring the latest updates as they are available.