For Immediate ReleaseFor More Information, Contact
September 12, 2007
PIO# 		Steve Mason, Director of Communications, at 703.838.4300


City Announces Relocation of Charles Houston
Recreation Center Programs and Activities

Programs and activities at the Charles Houston Recreation Center have relocated effective Tuesday, September 4, due to the renovation of the center. Most programs are being held at either the Oswald Durant Memorial Recreation Center or the George Washington Middle School. The “Krunch Bunch” Senior Program, the Alexandria Boxing Club, and the Network Preschool have been moved to other locations, as noted below.

The new center will provide a new gymnasium, dance room, fitness room, boxing room, children's game room, computer lab, outdoor swimming pool, senior center, preschool program, and a community meeting room. It will also incorporate green building features, such as a vegetated green roof and energy efficient HVAC systems and lighting. The new center is scheduled to open in late winter of 2009.

The following programs and activities at the Charles Houston Recreation Center are being temporarily relocated due to the renovation of the center.

Programs being held at the Dr. Oswald Durant Memorial Recreation Center, 1605 Cameron St.:

· Charles Houston Recreation Center Out of School Program for children ages five to twelve, Monday through Friday, until 6 pm. Children attending Jefferson-Houston Elementary School may walk to the Durant Center, located next door. Children attending other schools will be provided school bus transportation. Parents should contact their child’s school to arrange for bus transportation to the Durant Center for the Out of School Program. The Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities will provide registered participants transportation to their neighborhood communities following the Out of School Program at 6 pm. Transportation locations and a safety plan will be announced. For additional information, and to register for the Out of School Program, call 703.838.4814.

· Department of Mental Health’s Peer Advisory Program Counseling Center, Substance Abuse Prevention/Counseling, and The Untouchables. For additional information, call 703.838.5075.

The following programs will be held at the George Washington Middle School, 1005 Mount Vernon Ave.:

· Charles Houston Recreation Center Middle School Program for children in grades 6-8, Monday through Friday, until 6 pm.

· Charles Houston Recreation Center Teen Program, open gym for adults and drop-in activities, Monday through Friday, 6-11 pm.

For additional information regarding George Washington Middle School activities, call 703.838.4814.

Additional programs offered at the Charles Houston Community Center have been relocated as follows:

· “Krunch Bunch” Senior Program, Ladrey Building, 300 Wythe St. For additional information call 703.838.4832.

· The Alexandria Boxing Club, 2504 Oakville St. For additional information, call 703.838.4234.

· The Network Preschool will be located at other local Child/Family Network Center sites. For additional information, call 703.836.0214.

The City of Alexandria is committed to compliance with the City's Human Rights Code and the Americans with Disabilities Act. To request a reasonable accommodation or to request materials in an alternative format, call Lucky Elliott, Center Director, of the Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities, at 703.838.4814 or by email at lucky.elliott@alexandriava.gov.

For additional information regarding Charles Houston Recreation Center programs, call 703.838.4814.
###