Swarthmore Community Center: Its Past and Future

The Swarthmore Community Center will lose the lease on its Harvard Avenue building this summer. Photo: Rachel Pastan

In 1971, the people of Swarthmore decided to establish a community center to meet the needs of seniors, children, teens, and others. At that time, Swarthmore College offered to rent the old Swarthmore Preparatory School gymnasium to the newly formed Swarthmore Community Center for a nominal fee. The building needed extensive renovations, for which citizens raised $76,000 in grants and donations. Through the hard work and perseverance of many community volunteers, and with donated materials, the center opened its doors in 1978.

The community center has served Swarthmore and the surrounding area in many ways over the years, being the site of preschool programs, teen dances, Trinity Cooperative Day Nursery’s after school program, fundraisers for the Swarthmore Recreation Association, dog shows on Mother’s Day, Halloween haunted houses, New Year’s Eve celebrations for tots, AA meetings, aikido classes, and private events. The list goes on. Additionally, the center has for years provided space to the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts for free. The center is occupied seven days a week, and one would be hard pressed to find someone from Swarthmore or the surrounding area who has not benefited from the opportunities offered there. The center celebrates the rich diversity of our community and is inclusive of everyone, regardless of age, religion, race, gender, or sexual orientation.

In July 2019, the board of the community center received a notice from Swarthmore College that it would be terminating our lease and that we must vacate the building by August 2020. The college is expanding, and it would rather reuse its existing buildings than build something new. They are considering using the space for additional offices, a daycare center for employees, or possibly something else. 

After receiving this notice, the board met with representatives of the college. While it is clear they are firm in their intention to take back the community center building, they offered to help with the transition and possible relocation of the center. 

Now the question before the board — and the community — is how to move forward? Do we pursue a new location for the center, or let it disappear into the history of the town? 

To express your opinion, please fill out the Swarthmorean’s survey. 

Furthermore, we are looking for energetic volunteers to help us ensure that this valuable asset continues to be available to serve the important educational, social, and cultural needs of the residents of Swarthmore and the surrounding communities. To get involved, contact us at sccmanager@gmail.com.

Geoff Anderson
John Kennedy
Jessica Mudrick
Joni O’Conner
Virginia Thompson
Sheri Whelpley

Swarthmore Community Center Board