The New Kingswood Community Center (In Progress)

The Kingswood Community Center began in Riverside in 1946 to give neighborhood kids a safe place after school. In 1956, they moved into a 17,000 SF center on Bowers Street – a building they still occupy today. For more than half a century, the Community Center has offered programs “for the youngest to the oldest resident,” including an early learning academy, before and after school programming, senior social, physical, and mental health activities, health screenings and classes, and so much more – all aimed towards uplifting the community and families they serve. Thanks to the concerted efforts of the REACH Riverside project team, the Kingswood Community Center is getting a long overdue, and much needed new home. Next year, we will be breaking ground with them on the new 69,500 square-foot facility on land behind today’s center.

The impact of their new space is exponential:

• They will be able to double the childcare capacity from 122 children to 250
• They will be able to offer working families Infant care
• The senior population will have a dedicated senior center for the first time
• Neighborhood kids will have a modern gymnasium with an indoor basketball court and other outdoor sports facilities
• They will be able to support more health and nutrition classes and offer more community gatherings with a new commercial kitchen
• They will be able to bring expanded medical and health offering to a historically underserved community

This transformation is an integral part of improving the quality of life and opportunity for the residents of Riverside. Seventy-three years of service does not come easy, but the commitment by the community and beyond has allowed the Center to serve those who need it most. We know we carry their trust, and take seriously the responsibility of bringing to life a building that will serve as a Wilmington safe space and community gathering spot for the next half a century.

1 of 3 Exterior Rendering