It's a move that continues to cause shock and sadness.

Last week, without warning, the Boys and Girls Club of Western Broome shut its doors. The community, parents, and club members were left with unanswered questions.

"My heart has been in the building for years and it really just took me back,” said town of Union Supervisor Rick Materese. “I was hoping that it wouldn’t be true, but so far everything said is happening."

Rick Materese was the club's director from 2012 to 2017. He says the center was treading water for years, as its funding was cut in half.

A rise in minimum wage also took its toll.

"That was one of the reasons I left,” said Materese. “I cut my position and I cut another office position to try and make up some of that grant money. That made up about three quarters of it but not all."

But financial problems aren't the only issues plaguing the club.

Last week, a Child Victim's Act lawsuit was filed against it. It alleges former swimming instructor Gerald Berg engaged in unlawful sexual acts with a minor from 1975 to 1976.

The lawsuit claims it happened at the former Louis N. Picciano Boys Club, which later merged with the current club

"Because they never dissolved the Louis N. Picciano Boys Club, and the Girls Club and then the community center, and just merged them all together, this lawsuit follows up to this current club, but today's insurance isn't going to cover it, because it didn't happen on their watch," Materese said.

The club served thousands of children and seniors on a daily basis. Materese hopes another entity can come to the building to fill that void.

"We had many programs here that helped children grow as individuals, help them grow as citizens, and we're going to miss that," said Materese.