City, school leaders in Redmond finalize Old Schoolhouse agreement

City recreational programs prepare to move as LWSD converts community center to preschool facility.

March 29, 2018 8:30 am
City, school leaders in Redmond finalize Old Schoolhouse agreement

The Redmond City Council and Lake Washington School District (LWSD) Board of Directors approved both an inter-local agreement and a lease at the Old Redmond Schoolhouse earlier this month.

The city of Redmond Parks and Recreation and LWSD have a long-term partnership for joint use of facilities.

This partnership supports a wide selection of programs, classes and opportunities for youth to be healthy and connected to the community through recreation, art and social gathering, according to a city press release.

Both LWSD and Redmond Parks and Recreation are committed to continuing and growing their partnership related to programs and space/facility use. The inter-local agreement provides guidelines and maximizes the use of facility spaces, fields and parks.

“We continue to work closely with the Lake Washington School District. We value their responsiveness and innovative approach to our long-standing partnership,” stated Mayor John Marchione. “This inter-local agreement further formalizes our joint effort to continue to make Redmond a welcoming and vibrant community.”

“We appreciate our collaborative relationship with the city and look forward to continuing this beneficial community partnership,” said Dr. Traci Pierce, LWSD superintendent.

As part of the LWSD’s long-term facilities planning, the Old Redmond Schoolhouse Community Center will be remodeled for district preschool programs. Redmond Parks and Recreation has moved some classes and activities to the new Redmond Community Center at Marymoor Village, the Redmond Senior Center and the Old Firehouse Teen Center.

The Redmond Community Center at Marymoor Village just celebrated a grand opening on March 24 and offers a drop-in fitness area, group exercise classes, rental space and much more.

A lease agreement allows the city to use the gym and spaces near the gym at the schoolhouse for indoor adult/youth sports and other activities produced by the city of Redmond.

The Old Redmond Schoolhouse will be undergoing renovations beginning June 2018 and is scheduled to re-open in fall of 2019.

Visit www.redmond.gov/parksrecreation for current recreation class and activity offerings.