INC NEWS - YMCA and DPS partner Lakewood Y revitalization

[RW Pickle]

Partnership Revitalizes Lakewood Property

Durham, N.C. – After months of consideration, Durham County Government,
Durham Public Schools, and YMCA of the Triangle announced a joint venture
initiating the redevelopment of the Lakewood YMCA located at 2119 Chapel
Hill Road.  In an effort to preserve the facility, the partnership between
the private and public agencies will involve the County purchasing the
Lakewood YMCA property and completing renovation.

“This is a triple win for the community, the school district and the YMCA.
Durham County is delighted to partner with the Durham Public Schools and
Triangle YMCA to provide an exciting new educational opportunity for
middle school students, while retaining the YMCA as a community focal
point,” said Ellen Reckhow, Chairman of the Durham County Board of
Commissioners. 

An Interlocal agreement between the County and Durham Public Schools will
include construction of a new middle school on the site on behalf of the
school system. The school will be designed to service approximately 300
students.

“This is yet another example of the unparalleled levels of support that
Durham Public Schools receives from the Durham community,” said Minnie
Forte-Brown, Chair of the DPS Board of Education. “We are very grateful to
the Board of County Commissioners for providing such a perfect space for a
new middle school to serve our young people. So many young lives will be
greatly enhanced by this splendid partnership.”

“I am pleased that the County, the YMCA, and Durham Public Schools were
able to come to terms on what will become a real asset for the school
system, the YMCA, and Lakewood neighborhood,” said Mike Ruffin, Durham
County Manager. “My sincere appreciation to all involved.”

Discussion to redevelop the Lakewood facility involved Durham County,
Durham Public Schools, and YMCA jointly drafting Business Deal Points. 
The Durham County Board of Commissioners will review the deal points at
the Board of County Commissioners Regular Session meeting this evening. 
The Board of Education will review the deal points for approval on
Thursday, May 22.    

“Middle school improvement has been at the forefront of Durham Public
Schools’ efforts over the last several years, and we are seeing many
positive results,” said DPS Superintendent Carl Harris. “With the critical
support of our Commissioners we are now in the position to take this
success to new levels. This wonderful new middle school gives us the
opportunity to provide great instructional programs for hundreds of
deserving students.”  

When YMCA began to seek a partner to purchase all or a portion of the
Lakewood facility, it was important that the newly formed partnership
included YMCA leasing back a portion of the property to continue operation
of sports programming. 

“We’re excited about this development because it will be great for the
neighborhood, the community and the Y,” says Doug McMillan, YMCA of the
Triangle CEO. “This is the type of repurposing of the Lakewood facility
that we envisioned. We will be able to serve even more children and adults
throughout Durham.”

For more about today’s press conference, contact Dawn Dudley, public
information specialist for the Durham County Manager’s Office, at
919-560-0008, or Michael Yarbrough, communications coordinator for Durham
Public Schools’ Office of Public Affairs, at 919-560-2602.