On November 23, the City of Greensboro, North Carolina, broke ground on the future site of a 65,000-square-foot recreation center known as the Windsor Chavis Nocho Community Complex (WCNCC). The new facility will be a one-stop-shop for centralized community services related to lifelong learning, recreation, community services, and health and wellness.
The $65 million complex is meant to be an innovative and collaborative space developed by the City of Greensboro’s public libraries and Parks and Recreation departments. The project will be completed by early 2027.
Shawna Tillery, the planning and project development division manager for Greensboro Parks and Recreation, said the vision first came from Brigitte Blanton, the director of libraries and museums, and Nasha McCray, the assistant city manager and former deputy director of Parks and Recreation. The two wanted to create a space where when Parks and Recreation grow, libraries grow as well.
“The library is no longer a place where you simply check out a book,” said Tillery. “It’s now a community gathering place that houses multiple amenities for visitors and there’s truly something for everyone. A community center is not only comprised of basketball courts and swimming pools but includes a variety of community service centers. Parks are no longer just a playground, but include universal play spaces, outdoor gym facilities and even a place to celebrate the significant history of a community. The WCNCC will bring these elements together to serve as a community resource and simultaneously tell the unique story of the community.”
Features of the New Rec Center
As the city moved through the process of planning, Tillery said these 10 project priorities were developed and essentially the playbook on how the facility has been developed from concept to reality:
1. Create a unified facility (rec center, library, park).
2. Reconnect the three areas.
3. Re-establish the new facility as the community’s heart.
4. Develop aquatics as a key part of the center.
5. Create a strong inside-outside connection.
6. Maximize the building and site’s programmatic flexibility.
7. Visibility and intertwining of programs.
8. A place for knowledge and learning.
9. An inclusive facility for diverse ages and backgrounds.
10. Be a beacon of hope and pride.
Community partners will also provide vital services and information including health and wellness programs. Designed with direct neighborhood input to address current and future needs, the building will offer miscellaneous open and enclosed spaces for events, meetings and programs.
Tillery said Guilford County will also have a permanent presence in the facility and will be the first community-based access for public health and social services outside of the traditional model. Community members will be able to access Medicare and Medicaid services, WIC access, and more.
Gathering Funding
Voters approved a 2016 bond referendum of $2 million to start the design process. The city then worked with a core group of community stakeholders and city representatives to develop a team to guide the process for the architect selection.
“With the help of the committee, Vines Architecture — in collaboration with EVOKE Studio — was selected for the project,” said Tillery. “Both are minority-owned architecture firms which was important as we went through the selection process to show diversity in our choice and a firm that would represent the community and the vision of the project.”
Funding for the project will be allocated from the following sources:
Design Funding
- $2 million from a 2016 bond.
- $8 million from city ARP-enabled funding.
Construction
- $50 Million from 2022 voter-approved bond-construction.
- $15 Million from Guilford County.
- $4.3 Million from ORLP Grant for Nocho Park redevelopment.
- Public Art Endowment — $75,000.
- Cone Health — $5 million.
“It’s almost surreal to see the project getting to a groundbreaking,” said Tillery. “As a team we have worked diligently since 2018 on being intentional for the community support and engagement with over 4,000 residents giving feedback during the process. This project has truly been a collaboration between the community, city, county, Cone Health and the public art endowment to make the dream into a reality.”
Tips for Other Leaders
For other rec center teams who might soon be starting their own process of building a new facility, Tillery provided the following pieces of advice for success:
1. Develop a vision and scope that’s clear and concise.
2. Create a collaboration committee that understands and supports the vision and scope.
3. Research and connect with other communities.
4. Planning is essential from master plan development to the design process from advance planning and schematic design to construction documentation.
5. Be intentional and start small. Develop your objectives and funding options.
6. Create partnerships and collaboration by understanding what services in your community will work together.
7. Garner support from elected officials, other public organization and private groups.
8. Make sure to know your town, city or county, and seek internal resources.
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