Mar 12, 2024 By Paul Paterra 3 min read

Expansion is coming to the LeMoyne Community Center, thanks to a $350,000 award from the Washington County commissioners.

The money will be used for three classrooms and expansion to the kitchen at the community center.

A ceremonial check presentation took place Monday at the facility at 200 North Forrest Ave. in the city of Washington.

“I’m overwhelmed,” said Teresa Burroughs, executive director of the center. “I’m excited for what’s to come for the kids. It’s all about the children that we serve in the community. We’re able to expand our classrooms and provide additional educational offerings to the kids, and that’s what’s important. If we grow, they grow. This is a big day for the community.”

The funding comes through the American Rescue Plan Act.

Along with the three additional classrooms, Burroughs said there will be enhancement to the building’s entrance and office space.

“That will give us more room to be able to bring more students in,” she said. “We have an overwhelming growth span, so we need to have more classrooms to have more education for the kids and more tutoring.”

There also will be expansion in the center’s kitchen.

“We feed about 8,000 meals a year in a kitchen probably a little bigger than our kitchen at home,” said Tom Flickinger, treasurer of the center’s board of directors. “We want to expand it and put some more commercial equipment in it and the classroom so we can teach culinary skills as well, not only for the kids but the community.”

Drawings are in place for the kitchen which is expected to be completed in about a year.

The LeMoyne Community Center has been in operation since 1956. It serves people of all ages, but it is primarily focused on the need for youth to have a positive creative outlet. The center offers programs such as Homework and More, American Girl and Camp Challenge to hundreds of kids throughout the year.

“The population of the kids is just outgrowing us,” Flickinger said. “To add some new classrooms and get some administration is going to make a world of difference to the kids.”

Nick Sherman, chair of the Washington County commissioners, said it is quite important to help the LeMoyne Community Center in any way possible.

Commissioner Larry Maggi said the center has made a difference to the area and it’s good to be able to offer assistance.

“They’ve done a great job, helping our young people,” he said. “They compliment the school district. You look at what they’ve done in the city of Washington, they’ve made an impact in this community. We’re happy to help them so they can continue their good service to the community.”

Burroughs is just excited to move forward.

“We’ll build the classrooms first, then when that’s complete we’ll work on the kitchen,” Burroughs said. “We’re building this, not so they’ll come. We’re building it because they’re here.”