TOWSON, MD - This morning, County Executive Kevin Kamenetz and Baltimore County Schools Superintendent Dr. S. Dallas Dance, announced plans to build a new 14,260 square foot Padonia Community/Police Athletic League (PAL) Center adjacent to Padonia International Elementary School, at 9834 Greenside Drive in Cockeysville.
Because the new center's 6,000 square foot gymnasium will be used as the school's official gymnasium, when completed, the school's current gymnasium will become available as space for additional instructional activities, thereby increasing the capacity of Padonia International.
"By utilizing the new recreation center as the gymnasium for the school, the school system will be able to add additional seats at Padonia International - a significant step toward easing current and future elementary overcrowding issues which exist along the York Road corridor," said Kamenetz. "With this project and across the board, we are working collaboratively with Dr. Dance and his leadership team to creatively share resources in a way that benefits students and teachers as well as offering greater opportunities for after-school activities for the school system and our communities."
The Padonia Community/PAL Center will replace a PAL center located across the street from the school. Construction on the new $3 million Padonia Community/PAL Center is expected to begin in January 2014 and be completed in one year. The PAL Center's gym, which will include a stage, will be used by both Baltimore CountyPublic Schools and the Baltimore County Department of Recreation and Parks.
"Once again, our outstanding relationship with Baltimore County government has yielded a significant win for our schools and our community," said BCPS Superintendent Dallas Dance. "We have been working extremely closely with our central area families to find solutions to elementary school overcrowding. As we finalize solutions for adding additional seats in the central area to present to the community, this will be a significant part of the package."
"I am very excited that the County is going to build a brand new Community Center and PAL Center in the Cockeysville area," said third district Councilman Todd Huff. "The fact that this project will also be able to provide a stage and gym for the school system and recreation programs freeing up space for additional seats at Padonia International is icing on the cake. I appreciate County Executive Kamenetz's support for this project."
PadoniaInternational Elementary School is a community-based school that follows the traditional BCPS curriculum. The word "International" was added to the name of the school to reflect its significant diversity. Padonia International families come from more than 30 countries, and almost 25 percent of the students participate in English for Speakers of Other Languages services.
At its nine centers located throughout Baltimore County, the Police Athletic League offers educational and athletic programs for youth ages 8-17. Activities are designed to support positive youth development and foster constructive relationships between police officers and youth. In addition to Cockeysville, centers are located in Dundalk, Hillendale, Lansdowne, Mars Estates, Scotts Branch, Shady Spring, Winfield and Woodmoor. For additional information, please visit http://bit.ly/13bmEDy.
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