|
ATTENTION, ATTENTION!
Cheltenham Township Facilities Proposal – Comments Due Next Week, 9/30/23
Cheltenham Township has received a proposal from their consultants for a large-scale plan to revise township facilities/buildings. This proposal was presented at a public meeting in August.
The public comment period for all who have concerns or questions ends September 30th!
The new Cheltenham Township Facilities Proposal threatens to end the Center’s operation in its current location. Public comments on the proposal can be made to facilities@cheltenhampa.gov. If you’re one of the many people who have benefitted from the Center’s location and programs over the past 70 years, please comment to let the township know what the Center means to you.
The Center has several valuable and irreplaceable spaces: the beautiful light-filled painting studio, galleries with tall ceilings and wide walls to accommodate the artworks, large printmaking and ceramics studios, and a 100-seat theatre to name a few. Generations of memories are housed in this space. Not a single week goes by without someone sharing a story with me.
Send your comments here: facilities@cheltenhampa.gov
Many may not know that the art center, formally known as the George K. Heller School, is indeed a township building. Built in 1883 with multiple additions in later years, it was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2001. The building served as the first public school in Cheltenham township and the “oldest school in the state of Pennsylvania in continuous use on the same site” In fact, prior to the current structure there was a one-room schoolhouse on the property for another 100 years prior. After the elementary school moved out in 1953, the art center moved in (having been established in 1940 at another location) and it’s been the Center ever since. That means generations of Cheltenham children and adults have grown up participating in classes and summer camp, attending an inspiring gallery opening/play/concert, meeting friends, and celebrating the opportunity to be together. Now, of course, an old building is hard to maintain and out of step with modern accessibility needs. But, instead of throwing away this unique and loved piece of township history, might it be more cost effective to upgrade and preserve what’s here and then dedicate some accessible arts space within a new, centrally located township structure? The arts are an important historic component, as well as a compelling feature of our community.
If you would like to see a plan that is both respectful and forward thinking speak up now!
The current proposal includes:
- Current building is divested or “raised” depending on if you’re reading the slide or listening to the speaker presenting the proposal.
- Arts program is relocated to a “to-be renovated” Rowland Community Center in what appears to be a smaller space. No specifics on comparable square footage or understanding of the multiuse needs of the Center were given.
- An idea to designate Rowland a “Center for Arts and Innovation”: The location of the Center is already a challenge in terms of reaching the whole community, but the historic building is where it is! Rowland is a loved neighborhood meeting place, but moving the Center to a smaller space on the very edge of the township neither honors the past nor improves the accessibility of the arts in Cheltenham.
- There is a confusing reference to “Arts” space in the presentation slide on the old Tyler School grounds. What is in that space and how/by whom will it be used? No specifics were given.
See the entire presentation on the township’s website: https://cheltenhampa.municipalone.com/newsview.aspx?nid=6460#gsc.tab=0
Eliminating the Center would be a tremendous loss to the fabric and history of the Arts in Cheltenham Township. We encourage you to let Township officials know at facilities@cheltenhampa.gov before the September 30th deadline!
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Margaret Griffen
Executive Director
|
Happy holidays to everyone. I'm knee deep in cookie baking and loving every minute of it. My best wishes for a New Year of health and peace. 
