We, the residents of Arcola and surrounding area fully support renovating the Old Arcola School to a Multi-purpose community Center. We do not have a community center that is close and available for our use. We do not agree with the Board of Supervisor’s suggestion that we could use the new Broadlands Community Center and/or South Riding Community Center. This is not a reasonable recommendation since Broadlands is over five miles away and requires travel on crowed streets and South Riding is filled with South Riding residents.

The Arcola Multi-purpose Community Center is walking distance to Winsbury’s and the new Arcola Center with its 1000 plus residential units, and only a two mile or less commute for the Briarfield community.

We totally support the vision to renovate the existing Arcola School, listed on the National Historic Register, into a community Center similar to the Carver Center in downtown Purcellville. We need a place like the Carver Center offers classes in diverse content areas, including health and fitness, fine and applied arts, dance, and education and information. We would use the facility for our Home Owners meetings, Boy Scout Club/Girl Scout Club Meetings, religious gatherings, day care, Book Clubs, specialize fitness classes and Community Theater. We could have special events that bring in guest speakers on issues of current concern, world renowned musicians, theater groups, and a variety of celebrations around cultural discovery and familiar traditions. And like the Carver center, it has a commercial kitchen, which could be available for rent at affordable prices.

So save the Old Arcola School and make it a Multi-purpose community center!