Montgomery County designates $5M for Norristown recreation center

NORRISTOWN — Plans for a new recreation center in Norristown gained ground after Norristown received a $5 million cash infusion from Montgomery County.

The news came first during a Dec. 14 Montgomery County Board of Commissioners meeting when an agenda item designated $5 million from the general unassigned fund balance. Chief Financial Officer Dean Dortone said last week that the funds would be “assigned for a future grant for the Norristown Recreation Center.”

Montgomery County Commissioners’ Chairman Ken Lawrence Jr. addressed the proposal to earmark the aforementioned funds, which would act as a grant, meaning no timeline would be set to spend the monies as compared to guidelines for other American Rescue Plan Act monies.

Lawrence said “we’re proud that Norristown is our county seat.” He touted several infrastructure projects ranging from the county campus plan to the reopening of the Sterigere Street Bridge.

“One of Norristown’s current highest priorities is the development of a recreational center. Norristown provides great recreational resources but the current facilities are outdated and subject to flooding,” Lawrence said earlier this month. “We want to help Norristown and their goal to bring a recreational facility for all that will be an asset to the entire community and region.”

Montgomery County Commissioners’ Vice Chairwoman Jamila Winder agreed.

“We have a moral obligation and a responsibility sitting right here in Norristown as our county seat to help our friends and our neighbors in Norristown. So thrilled that we’re doing this,” she said.

The municipality’s current recreation center is located at 340 Harding Blvd. in Norristown. The action eventually passed unanimously among the trio of county commissioners.

Lawrence said that he “look(s) forward to coming back some day for that ribbon cutting,” making brief eye contact with Norristown Municipal Council President Thomas Lepera, who was in the audience during the Dec. 14 meeting.

Conversations surrounding the county’s relationship with its county seat resumed a few days later at a Dec. 19 Norristown Municipal Council work session. Lawrence and Winder were both in attendance as they informed area residents of the multimillion grant opportunity to bring forth a new recreation center.

Lawrence said county leadership learned about the need for this type of facility surfaced during monthly meetings with municipality officials over the past year. He stressed the financial assistance accompanied a previous $7 million designation for the Norristown Community Facilities Project. 

While those funds covered “a collective study to look overall holistically at facilities and where to go,” Lawrence said the additional $5 million would help address priorities for the new community center because “we believe it’ll be an asset not just to the town, but to the region.”

Looking ahead, county representatives will draw up a reimbursement agreement with Norristown Solicitor Sean Kilkenny, Lawrence said.

“As you all have needs for funds for the recreational facility the county will pass that along,” he said. “So I’m very pleased that we were able to get that done and I think you for your advocacy for Norristown.”

Lawrence’s words were met with cheers from the crowd, and after a brief pause, Lawrence looked to Lepera, and said “you look like you want to applaud again.”

“I do,” Lepera said.

Winder took a moment to address fellow elected officials and constituents as she prepares to be sworn in as a newly elected county commissioner.

“As Commissioner Lawrence… passes the torch to me as chair come January, I will remain committed to this great council and to the community at large ensuring that Norristown thrives,” she said.

Winder noted several ways federal COVID-19 relief dollars have been spent in the county seat, with more than $20 million funding 16 projects concerning affordable housing, child care center, community facilities, and assistance for area nonprofit. Another $500,000 was awarded toward 47 Norristown-based small businesses.

“We know that our small businesses are the lifeblood of a community like Norristown,” she said.Winder emphasized the importance of maintaining productive relationships with the local government entity and setting them up for long term success.

Lepera took a moment to acknowledge the two county commissioners for their effort and the impact the $5 million will have on future municipal development endeavors.

“It’s been a really pleasure to serve with you guys, and I just can’t express into words how much this means to this community, and I thank you both. Thank you so much,” Lepera said.