FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NEWPORT NEWS PARKS, RECREATION, AND TOURISM DEPARTMENT WINS TWO STATEWIDE AWARDS

Newport News Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Department won two statewide awards at the Virginia Recreation and Park Society (VRPS) Annual Conference held on September 14, 2009 in Roanoke VA. The department won “Best New Facility” for the King-Lincoln Fishing Pier and “Best Renovation/Addition”- for the Downing-Gross Cultural Arts Center for communities with a population greater than 150,000.

Newport News Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Department won two statewide awards at the Virginia Recreation and Park Society (VRPS) Annual Conference held on September 14, 2009 in Roanoke VA.  The department won “Best New Facility” for the King-Lincoln Fishing Pier and “Best Renovation/Addition”- for the Downing-Gross Cultural Arts Center for communities with a population greater than 150,000.  Department Director Michael Poplawski accepted the awards on behalf of the Department.

The King-Lincoln Fishing Pier was created by the addition of railings and lighting to an existing wavescreen adjacent to King-Lincoln Park.  The 1,600’ pier was a joint project between the City of Newport News and the Virginia Marine Resources Commission. 

The Downing-Gross Cultural Arts Center is located in a three-story, 51,000 square-foot building that was built in 1917 as a high school but had seen use as a hospital, an elementary school, and then as the “Wickham Avenue Neighborhood Center” (the center was renamed the Norvleate Downing-Gross Neighborhood Facility after the community leader and executive director of the Office of Human Affairs) until its closing in 1990.  After sitting vacant and falling into disrepair, the building was completely renovated and reopened at the Downing-Gross Cultural Arts Center in 2008.  The entire facility includes the 276-seat Ella Fitzgerald Theater, named after the legendary performer who was raised in this very neighborhood, with instantly-changeable lighting, sound, and scenic capability.  There are two art galleries with adjustable easels and lighting, a 200-seat banquet room with caterer’s kitchen, a board room, and a multi-purpose room. The center also has smaller meeting rooms, classrooms, and a large dance room.

The Virginia Recreation and Park Society (VRPS) is a professional society with members from government, educational, and non-profit organizations that provide services and programs relating to recreational activities and parks.

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