The city of Avon Lake seeks to purchase the former Erieview Elementary School, 32630 Electric Blvd., from Avon Lake City Schools for $500,000, with payments deferred until January 2027, according to a news release.<\/p>\n
The purchase is pending approval by the Avon Lake Schools Board of Education and Avon Lake City Council, and the completion of a facility assessment conducted by the city through a third party, the release said.<\/p>\n
If the purchase is approved, the city plans to repurpose the Erieview facility as a community center for enhanced and expanded recreational programming for all ages, social services and community meeting spaces, according to the release.<\/p>\n
Opened in 1951, Erieview Elementary was closed after the 2024-25 school year as part of an Avon Lake Schools plan to consolidate buildings and reduce operating costs.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Erieview facility presents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the city to enhance services to the community and breathe new life into a space that holds a special place in our history,\u201d said Avon Lake Mayor Mark Spaetzel in the release. \u201cWe have limited space for recreation programs in our existing facilities, and the demand is high.<\/p>\n
\u201cErieview is well-positioned to meet our recreation and community engagement needs with its central location, spacious classrooms, gymnasium and outdoor areas.\u201d<\/p>\n
The purchase of the Erieview facility will be funded through the city\u2019s Recreation Trust Fund \u2014 a special fund established to support public recreation \u2014 not its General Fund, which funds core services such as police, fire and public works, according to the release.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur vision is to transform Erieview into a vibrant community center, and maximize its use year-round,\u201d Spaetzel said. \u201cThe city will benefit from having the ability to make capital improvements incrementally in a phased approach, which is something the schools simply would not have been able to do.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe will also explore utilizing part of the facility to generate new revenue for the city. This is a very exciting win-win opportunity, and I want to thank Avon Lake City Schools for their continued partnership as we imagine a new future for Erieview.\u201d<\/p>\n