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THE CHAMPION, THURSDAY. DECEMBER 14-20, 2023 • PAGE 2
Community center celebrated with time capsule
BY CHRISTINE FONVILLE
CHRISTINE@DEKALBCHAMP.COM
One of DeKalb County's newest
community and senior centers
celebrated its recent opening with a
gift - not to be opened until 2048.
Community members gathered
at the East Central DeKalb
Community and Senior Center,
located at 4885 Elam Road in
Stone Mountain, for a dedication
ceremony and placement of a time
capsule on Dec. 4.
According to officials, included
in the time capsule is memorabilia
from multiple county offices,
including the chief executive officer,
commission District 4, commission
District 7, human services,
recreation, parks and cultural affairs
and community development.
It was placed in the
multipurpose room, located inside
the center, to be sealed for 25 years
and unveiled during a celebration in
2048, stated a press release.
"The center and time capsule
will serve as reminders of the
importance of improving the
health, wellness, and quality of life
of our citizens," said CEO Michael
Thurmond.
The county broke ground on
the East Central DeKalb Community
and Senior Center in April 2021 and
completed the construction in July
2023 with an investment of $9.6
million, according to officials.
The new center is a
24,000-square-foot facility. The site
features approximately 131 parking
spaces, a covered drop-off area with
a main entrance, service entrance,
landscaping, and pedestrian plaza.
The facility includes an indoor
heated saltwater lap pool and a
large exterior patio with furniture.
Additional features are a multi
purpose/dining room with a
moveable partition wall and stage;
a commercial kitchen; lounge areas;
a library/reading room; a fitness
room; an aerobics/dance room;
two classrooms with a moveable
partition wall; an arts and crafts
room; a billiards/game room; as well
as administrative offices, restrooms,
locker rooms for men and women,
security cameras, and Wi-Fi.
The facility is ADA (American
Disabilities Act) compliant
and designed for independent
navigation (with or without assistive
devices/equipment) for persons
with disabilities, according to the
center's website.
"At East Central DeKalb, we
believe in the power of accessibility
and responsiveness," states the
center's website. "Our service
systems are designed to be easily
accessible, ensuring that everyone
can participate and benefit from our
offerings. We strive to treat every
citizen with the utmost dignity and
respect, fostering an inclusive and
supportive environment where
everyone feels valued."
For more information, visit www.
dekalbcountyga.gov/parks/east-
central-dekalb-community-senior-
center or call 770-322-2970.
Bruce Street Park gets new basketball court
BY JAY PHILLIPS
JAY@DEKALBCHAMP.COM
Bruce Street Park in Lithonia is
now home to a new basketball court
following a ribbon-cutting ceremony
held on Nov. 30 by DeKalb County
District 5 Commissioner Mereda
Davis Johnson and other partners
who helped fund and open it.
The basketball court, located
at 2566 Bruce St., was restriped,
resurfaced, and had custom artwork
done by Atlanta-based nonprofit Art
In the Paint. A news release states
that the custom art design "merges
art, culture, and sports together to
provide inspiration to the youth and
community who will use the court."
One of the partners on the
project was Stephenson High School
alum Alade Aminu, who played
basketball for the Stephenson
Jaguars before continuing his
career at Georgia Tech and in the
professional ranks.
"My commitment to fostering a
safe and nurturing environment for
youth engagement in the community
is deeply rooted," Aminu said.
"Growing up on the eastside, playing
basketball was not just a pastime,
but a cherished part of my identity.
Establishing this initiative is my way
of giving back, ensuring that the next
rising star from my neighborhood has
a dedicated space to hone their skills
and realize their full potential in the
game."
Aminu played in the NBA's
developmental league as well as in
leagues in countries such as France,
Israel, and Poland.
"I am appreciative [of] the
partnership with Mr. Aminu and all
of our partners for working diligently
to provide this wonderful asset to
our beloved community in the city of
Lithonia," said Davis Johnson.
Davis Johnson also introduced
members of the Lithonia Middle
School basketball teams and Lithonia
city officials at the event.
"The city of Lithonia admires the
strength of our youth," said Lithonia
Mayor Shameka Reynolds. "This
court is history, and we will cherish
this gift for years to come. The city is
forever grateful."
Bruce Street has been the subject
of several renovation projects
in recent years, with the county
building a new senior center and
helping fund a renovation of the
historic Bruce Street School—DeKalb
County's first Black public-school
building—alongside Arabia Mountain
Alliance and other partners.
Art In the Paint did custom artwork on the court. Photo by Jay Phillips