CONYERS—Hammers, shovels, power tools and a whole lot of paint were part of a nearly $100,000 extreme makeover the A.R. Gus Boys & Girls Club in Conyers received today, thanks to about 160 volunteers from CSX and its community partner, City Year.

“In this type of economy, with the budget cuts we have received, we are just not able to do a lot of projects. All I can say is this is truly a blessing,” said Conyers Club Executive Director Terrence Artis.

Today’s Service Day in Conyers kicks off the railroad company’s four-day Public Safety and Health Environment conference being hosted in downtown Atlanta. The project was a major upgrade for the 18,600-square-foot Boys & Girls Club, which originally opened in 1977.

City Year, a national service group, did the prep work for the renovations and provided refreshments and snacks for the volunteers.

Improvements to the center included: a complete overhaul off the baseball field, building outdoor benches; removing old grass and adding playground safe woodchips. The volunteers also added beams for dancers and painted walls and cubby holes, as well as murals and a dance room.

The A.R. “Gus” Boys and Girls Club is located at 1015 OKelly Street, S.E., Conyers. The center currently serves about 250 children daily in grades k – 12. 770-922-7402.