Bluemont CC Renovation Progress

Bluemont Under Renovation. May 2011

In the western part of Loudoun County is the small town of Bluemont. In it is the lovely old ex-school building, the Bluemont Community Center.

As a school, it opened in 1921. It only served elementary school (which were grades 1-7 at the time). After it closed in 1962, there was some dispute as to what to do with it. For the most part, the school sat empty until 1986, when it opened as the Bluemont Community Center!

Now, along with the Lucketts Community Center, it is getting a facelift renovation. Bluemont and Lucketts are first two of five centers to get renovated. Philomont, Sterling, and Lovettsville are next on the list. Loudoun Valley CC (former Purcellville ES) received a similar renovation in 2008.

While the building is under renovation, LCPS's Round Hill Center is being used as a surrogate center for the displaced community.


I first visited the center May of last year, when it was in the early stages of its construction. Last weekend, I visited again to see the progress thus far:

Bluemont under Renovation. May 2012

A recently painted (and re-roofed) building greeted me. It looks like it's at the beginning of the end of its renovation. Everything looks refreshed.

Taking a peek through the front door...

Before:

May 2011

 After:

May 2012

And if you think the front looks great, you should take a gander at the back!

Before:

May 2011

After:

May 2012

There's a whole new building back there! 

This new wing is connected to the old one by a glass hyphen.
Inside is an elevator and more space.

I don't have a picture to illustrate this, but the new wing's foundation very closely matches the old wing's.

Inside the new wing

Another before and after, the back patio and handicap ramp

Before:

May 2011

After:

May 2012

Here's a picture looking inside the old wing

Former classroom inside Bluemont. Currently fashioned
as a construction office during the renovation.

And here's some more notable pictures from 2011:

The back doors

The new wing's basement, with the elevator shaft to the left.

Playground!

Is there a skateboard park inside?

They also have this railcar back by the playground. Looks cool.

The schools that are placed under the Parks & Rec banner are looking really great. I can't wait to see the finished products. These renovations will definitely help the buildings' longevity so Bluemont and the other former schools can continue to be assets to their communities.

(My only complaint: the leaning flagpole. 
Other than that, it's beautiful!)

Sources:

Renovations Close Bluemont's Community Center
Community Center Renovations [Link died. Replacement link could not be found]
Leesburg Today: Community Center Renovations Approved

[2020 Update: I have been watching The West Wing for the first time. I was happily surprised to recognize Bluemont in the first two episodes of the third season! More on this:

Washinton Post: "Bluemont Meets 'The West Wing' " August 23, 2001

Washington Post: " 'West Wing' Dismays the North" August 27, 2001 ]