School Board to Decide Fate of Historic Gym: Citizens Offer Cooperation and Support

    In the true spirit of Central, citizens with a vision to save the 1927 Gym located on the site of the original “Central School” are volunteering their time, fund-raising ideas, and whatever support is needed should the School Board decide to preserve this part of Central’s history.   This Monday night the School Board is scheduled to vote to tear down the building as part of the ongoing demolition project, or to allow this preservation effort to be launched.
    Envisioning the 1927 Gym as a home for a Central area Museum and Cultural Center, organizers of the effort to restore the building have not wavered in their commitment to the project.  However, it can only proceed with the blessing and support of the School Board.  Since the School Board owns the building and property, any long term plans would very much involve the cooperation of these School Board Members.
    Dave Freneaux, who with his wife Mia have found themselves leading the effort to “Save the Gym”, shared “We have an opportunity to join hands with the School Board and take on a project of this magnitude for the benefit of the entire community.  A vote Monday night in support of Historic Preservation and the encouragement of the Visual and Performing Arts would be a great legacy for these elected officials.”
    If the School Board does vote to join in partnership with citizens of Central and preserve the gym as a cultural center, it would begin an ongoing relationship that would require cooperation and support from both sides.  Leaders of this effort say they are willing to structure the project in any way that suits the School Board, possibly as a separate “Cooperative Endeavor” with a non-profit group, or as a committee under the control of the School Board itself.
    Freneaux added “While many hundreds have signed petitions to save the gym, and many have shared that they would like to see Central’s history preserved, without the cooperation of the School Board it won’t be possible.  The actual and active support of the School Board is vital to this effort for very practical reasons.  Monday night we will be asking the School Board for more than their permission, we will be asking for their encouragement and support.”