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From memories to milestones, the Greensboro community gathered to reflect on the legacy of the Windsor Recreation Center, Nocho Park, and Vance Chavis Library, and to celebrate the future of the Windsor Chavis Nocho Community Complex (WCNCC) with a groundbreaking ceremony on November 23.
The future 65,000-square foot building will be a space with diverse open and enclosed rooms for events, meetings and programs. The WCNCC will be a first-of-its-kind facility that combines all the best features of a library, recreation center, and park into a unique destination that will also provide information and services from community partners.
The new spaces will consist of indoor aquatics including a lazy river, water slide and lap swim, teaching kitchen, gymnasium, indoor walking track, weight room, fitness room, sensory space, dedicated spaces for children, teens, and seniors, and flexible programming rooms and spaces both indoor and outdoor.
Located in East Greensboro (District 2), Saturday’s celebration also included remarks from local civic and community leaders, who all expressed excitement for the new facility.
“This complex will be recognized across the country and around the world for its uniqueness. Parks and recreation and a library all coming together. It’s going to be a true game changer for East Greensboro, and a treasure for District 2,” said Dr. Goldie Wells, District 2 Greensboro City Council member.
“And when we have the ribbon cutting, we want you to be right here again,” she added.
Brigitte Blanton, director of the Greensboro Public Library system shared that this project has been in the works since 2012. Funding for the design and construction came from a $50 million bond voters approved in 2016, and $15 million from the American Rescue Plan Act, through an agreement with Guilford County. Samet Corporation is the construction manager for the project, with demolition of Windsor scheduled for December 2024 and project completion estimated for 2027.
“We asked the community what you wanted to see. And we took that back to the architects and the stakeholder committee. This complex isn’t designed by us, it was designed by you,” said Blanton.
A $4.3 million federal Outdoor Recreation Legacy Program grant will support the development of the park. The Community Foundation of Greater Greensboro’s Public Art Endowment has also agreed to provide $75,000 to commission art for the space.
Cone Health has committed to contributing an additional $5 million to the project, to include bringing its’ signature Sagewell Health & Fitness Center, as well as offering services ranging from telehealth, food pantries and certified dietitians to teach healthy eating and cooking techniques.
“This can be one stop shopping for health and wellness in this community,” said Dr. Mary Jo Cagle, Cone Health President and Chief Executive Officer, who mentioned the health disparity gap that exists in East Greensboro, compared to other parts of the city.
“We have data that shows there are mortality gaps in certain zip codes across our city, that are as wide as 15 years, and it should not be that way,” said Cagle.
Betty Watson, president of the Old L. Richardson Neighborhood Association and a longtime East Greensboro resident, shared that older residents are eager for a one-stop shop for health services.
“We will have access to health services right here in our community, right in our own community. This new facility will add to the opportunities for the young, the old, and increase generational access, like no other in Greensboro,” said Watson.
On display in the lobby were photographs that had been donated to the Greensboro History Museum depicting early life in Nocho Park, Old L. Richardson and Benbow Park communities, where the museum collected community members’ personal archives, which will become a part of a historical project for East Greensboro.
With a documented history dating back to 1923, the Nocho Park neighborhood was once considered the premier historic neighborhood of East Greensboro. Middle-to-high income African American residents moved in and build attractive houses, new schools and eventually, a hospital.
The first Windsor Recreation was opened in 1937 and named for William Blackstone Windsor (1879-1932), who was the Superintendent of the Greensboro Negro Schools. The first recreation center included a bath house, swimming pool, tennis court and playground. The park was also enhanced with new hiking trails and picnic areas.
By 1968, the Windsor Recreation Center was replaced by the current facility and lost some of the features that were once celebrated, like the large “lake-sized” swimming pool. However, the new facility brought additional amenities to the Nocho Park community, including indoor basketball facilities and a modern outdoor pool to rival other community centers around Greensboro.
The groundbreaking ceremony stirred nostalgia for some while introducing a new vision for others. Peggy German, a West Greensboro resident, shared that although it was her first visit to Windsor, she looks forward to visiting the new complex once it’s completed.
“From what I’m hearing, this is going to bring so many necessary resources to the community,” said German, adding, “I’m hoping to take some exercise classes like Zumba, or Silver Sneakers.”
The library space will include tailored program specific lending kiosks, traditional collections and book vending. Nocho Park renovations will upgrade a multi-purpose field to regulation size and add new amenities like a full-size covered basketball pavilion, amphitheater, and multiple community gathering areas with plenty of seating and lighting throughout.
Residents who want to own a piece of this history can bid on items from the three spaces in an online and in person auction starting on December 4 from noon - 3 p.m. More information is available at www.rogersauctiongroup.com/auctions under ‘City of Greensboro Recreation Center Surplus Auction.’
Learn more about the Windsor Center and Nocho Park history at www.greensborohistory.org/windsor.
