Newly Formed Committee To Fundraise For Doylestown Township Rec Center

DOYLESTOWN TOWNSHIP, PA — Doylestown Township has approved the creation of a new short term committee to fund raise for the township's new Park Recreation Community Center complex to be built next year at the municipal complex.

At its November meeting, the supervisors agreed to the formation of a nine member Capital Fundraising Committee that will be tasked with overseeing a $3 million capital campaign for the project.

The committee will include up of three township residents, two township supervisors and one liaison. The balance of the committee will be made up of Central Bucks residents who don’t necessarily have to be township residents.

“I need everyone to contribute and to commit to finding people who want to invest in this building,” said Barbara Lyons, who chairs the board of supervisors.

Lyons will initially serve as the chair until someone else steps forward, preferably not a member of the board of supervisors, said Lyons.

“We want to raise $3 million for this building. Luckily we already have a million and a half,” said Lyons, referencing grant money received from the state and secured by State Sen. Steve Santarsiero through the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program.

Also as part of the campaign, the board approved a request by Lyons to hire a part-time person to oversee the campaign.

“It should be a fairly well paid position,” said Lyons, working somewhere between 20 and 30 hours a week. She provided the board with a four page job description, which will be advertised by the township.

In September 2021 the supervisors voted to build the Community and Recreation Center, which will be constructed next to the municipal building where the current tennis and basketball courts are located. Currently, the township has no indoor public recreation facility.

The new facility will include a gym, three multi-purpose rooms, and a large patio that overlooks Central Park.

The project also includes the transformation of Field 1 in Central Park into tennis, basketball, and pickle ball courts.

In June 2022, Sen. Santarsiero announced $1 million for the first phase of the project. And in October, he announced that $500,000 in additional funds from the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP) will be used to remove outdated outdoor activity courts and construct new, contemporary sports courts on the site. Funds will also go toward the construction of indoor classrooms in the community center building.

According to Lyons, the community center will serve not only Doylestown Township, but the greater Central Bucks community.

“We believe in Doylestown Township that a hearty parks and recreation system results in a hearty and healthier community overall,” she said.

Added Doylestown Township Supervisor Jennifer Herring, “Doylestown Township takes pride in providing excellent service to our community. This community center will be home to programs designed to enhance the lives of people of all ages with sporting events, educational opportunities, and entertainment.”

The township plans to break ground for the project in 2023 with the doors opening to the new Recreation Community Center in 2024.