ANDERSON — The Rev. David Markle admitted that it was a bold proposal when he recently asked the Anderson Community Schools board to donate the closed Park Place Elementary School.
But that’s because his congregation next door at Park Place Church of God has bold ideas for reopening the facility as a community center.
Markle sees the old school taking on a new life serving people in the Park Place neighborhood and the broader community. Programs would include the spiritual, financial, educational, nutritional, life skills, family, wellness, recreation and arts.
“It’s a good fit with the history of this congregation,” Markle said, noting that the church has long offered after-school programs for children and a food pantry that serves more than 1,000 orders per month. Some of those services could be expanded if Park Place Elementary was available.
“Our folks are really moved by this and really excited about what could be built there,” Markle said.
The church has studied possible uses for the school since about 2005, when it became clear the school would close. People from the church, Anderson University, service organizations and other groups could be part of the community center.
Duane Hoak has served on the visioning committee for Park Place Church of God Community Ministries.
Hoak said neighborhood surveys and focus groups have led to an understanding of what people would like to see in the community center.
There is a desire, he said, “to bring back into Park Place something that they had many years ago when the school was a functioning school and was a location for summer recreation.”
Norm McMillan works on the grounds crew at Anderson University and lives in Park Place.
“I know it would be a benefit to the community,” he said, noting that children such as his daughter Alyssa, 13, would have much to gain if programs were tailored to them. He said programs offered through the community center might reach more people than those offered just by the church.
Jenny Dunbar lives across the street from the church and the former school. She sees people occasionally use the swing set outside the school, but that’s all.
An AU graduate now teaching in Fishers, Dunbar said she’d like to see a center operating that could serve children and adults, perhaps including foreign-language courses. “I think it would be great,” she said.
The ACS board took no action earlier this month on the request to transfer Park Place Elementary, and some board members suggested that a sale price would have to be established.
It’s likely that negotiations would be required between the ACS board and the church for a transfer of the property to be agreed upon.
Markle has said the building needs at least $100,000 in immediate repairs — “plus sweat equity,” — and that cost could increase significantly if a new heating system is needed.
ACS Business Manager Kevin Brown said the schools have never given away buildings, and it’s doubtful that will happen as ACS faces a widening multi-million-dollar deficit. He said ACS must maximize all of its resources, even closed schools.
Contact Dave Stafford: 648-4250, dave.stafford@heraldbulletin.com
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