By Dino Ciliberti
CHELTENHAM TOWNSHIP, PA —Residents are rallying around the La Mott Community Center project, having a say in renovation design plans for the project.
At a recent meeting, residents turned out to show support for the community center's future after the township received $3,828,500 in federal funding earlier this year.
A presentation about the project can be found at Cheltenhampa.gov/lamottcc.
In March, the La Mott CC Restoration/Rehabilitation Project received federal funding secured by Congresswoman Madeleine Dean.
"The township is extremely grateful for this vital support from Congresswoman Dean, with which the Township will be able to make renovations needed to restore the La Mott Community Center to year-round operations," officials said.
Since 2020, cost-prohibitive repairs needed for the heating system have necessitated a building closure for the winter seasons, and the aging building is also in need of additional structural repairs.
Combined with additional grant funding of $200,000 through the Montgomery County Community Development Block Grant, this provides a foundation for the township to begin the planning process for the long-awaited renovations to this staple in the historic La Mott community.
The community center was once the site of Camp William Penn during The Civil War.
The area was known as "Camptown" before being renamed La Mott to honor Lucretia Mott, a well-known abolitionist who lived here.
The La Mott Grammar School was built in 1879 to encourage the purchase of real estate in the area. It closed in 1940 and reopened in 1941 as a community center to serve area residents.
Due to the deteriorating physical condition of the aging infrastructure, inoperable mechanical systems, and inability to meet current building code and Federal ADA requirements, the La Mott Community Center is now only capable of serving the public in a very limited manner, officials said.
The awarded funds will allow the rehabilitation of the La Mott Community Center so the facility can once again provide the residents of Cheltenham Township with year-round educational, recreational, and social programming, along with highlighting the arts, culture, and history of this unique community while providing a safe, modern community space and programs.
An initial community meeting was held on June 25 to provide an overview of the project process and gather information from the community regarding their programming needs.
There will be additional community meetings held over the next several months to align the programming and offerings with the needs of the community to ensure the facility operates in its fullest capacity upon completion.
Permalink: https://dean.house.gov/2024/11/patch
