The Potomac Greenough Community Center (PGCC) and Potomac School have had a working relationship for decades. The lease for over 13 years allotted for insurance and a small amount to be saved for future systems replacement which was the responsibility of the Lessor, PGCC, in the lease. The lease provided that the school would take care of the daily maintenance and upkeep of the building. The interior maintenance of the structure was left ambiguous and had become a source of conflict as the Center became responsible for mounting maintenance issues on an aging building that it did not have the funds to cover. The money saved for “systems” maintenance was being used to replace damages to flooring, stage components and walls that were done by the Potomac School students.
The school board realizes that the school is responsible for the bulk of the wear and tear on the building, however, finding the right verbiage for the lease was challenging. Increases in insurance needed to be accounted for, inflation needed to be accounted for, and the ambiguity of interior maintenance needed to be accounted for.
Dr. Courtney Hathaway, Potomac School Trustee, and I worked to accomplish this feat to address both the concerns of the school and the community center.
The center is a little over 40 years old and as the building ages, the maintenance increases exponentially. In the past three years the PGCC has invested in electrical upgrades, structural maintenance and siding and roofing replacement (which the school donated $10,000 towards). This summer we are beginning an HVAC upgrade to our 40-year-old heating system. The cost of the entire project is $90,000. When School Board Chair Cliff Vann offered an additional $20,000 to help offset some of the costs of this project, the PGCC board gladly accepted his offer.
In addition to the heating system, we have received funding from a few donors to cover the cost of acoustic ceiling spray, pull-out bleachers and safety padding thanks to the combined efforts of Thomas Brown, PGCC board member, and Alicia Vanderheiden, Potomac PTC. It has been encouraging to see everyone working together. Although we still need $30,000 to complete the HVAC project, I am confident that working with the school, PTC and members of the community this can be done. Donations are appreciated and tax deductible.
Lease renewal time can be a challenging time but the PGCC, school, and the PTC are all working toward the same goal: to maintain the center so it will continue to be a safe and usable facility for another 40 years ... and beyond.
As of this writing, I am pleased to inform you the lease for the 2021-2022 year has been signed.
Sincerely,
Dawn Downs, PGCC Chairman
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