Where classrooms once echoed with spelling and arithmetic lessons, neighbors now gather to learn, connect and create.
Since its 2013 closure, the former Dillwyn Elementary School had remained empty and unused for years. As time went on, Buckingham County administrators and community members decided it was time to reopen its doors to everyone, young and old, to read, meet and belong.
“I taught here when it was a school before they closed it,” Recreation Assistant Wendy Spivey said of the building. “It’s neat to see that building is being used for something.”
According to Todd Shumaker, director of recreation, the library was looking for a larger location at the time and county leaders saw the potential of the former school building located at the corner of Rt. 15 and 20 in Dillwyn.
“The centralized location, right here in the middle of town, was what we needed,” he said. “The building was just sitting. We could take one building and get two uses out of it. By doing that, we were able to bring a community center in the area that could offer more programs and rentals.”
In 2020, crews from Jamerson-Lewis Construction worked to turn the old school building into a 33,000-square-foot hub for the community, shared between the local library branch and community center. There was no grand opening due to the nationwide pandemic at the time; however, the community quickly learned about all the new building had to offer.
“It’s been a great need for the community and a blessing to have,” said Shumaker. “There was a lady that called year after it opened after going to a birthday party in Richmond. She said she had wished the county had something like that and it was nice to say that we do.”
In addition to housing the Buckingham County Parks and Recreation Department, the community center offers classrooms, meeting rooms, a multipurpose room, and a catering kitchen for events, gatherings, and public use. Residents can sign up for local sports programs and rent space in the building for weddings, memorials, baby showers, birthdays and other events, while also taking part in a variety of activities offered throughout the day. From dance and exercise classes to morning play groups to senior citizen meetings, the community center offers something for everyone in the county.
“It’s a big thing for the community,” said Grace Barlow, branch manager of the Buckingham Library. “People can come here for all kinds of services. It’s a really great atmosphere.”
By nearly doubling the size of its former location, the library is now able to offer separate areas for children and adults with a large program room. They are also able to offer physical and educational classes of their own as well as a shared seed library, book clubs and an extensive DVD and audiobook collection. Community members can also take advantage of the library’s printing, faxing and scanning abilities, notary services, study room, local history room and genealogy services.
“We try to have a huge variety of classes for everyone,” Spivey said. “We have a lot of the community involved with us. A good library builds community. It’s not just about checking out books.”
Barlow said the library is always looking to expand their offerings and urged residents to contact her if they are interested in sharing a passion of their own, such as sewing, yoga or other hobby.
To see all the programs offered at the community center and the library, visit them online at www.buckinghamcountyva.org.
Links
Buckingham County Community Center Virtual Tour
Parks and Recreation Program Home
