A new renaissance will soon take place at Roseland Community Center with the help of a major grant award from the Polk County Community Foundation (PCCF).

Roseland Board of Directors recently announced receipt of a $17,400 grant, according to longtime Roseland President Dr. Warren Carson.

“This grant is a major boost for Roseland and the entire Eastside community. We are all excited about the planned renovations and are looking forward for the work to begin,” Carson said.

Funds from the grant will be used to replace the aged heating and air conditioning units, as well as finish some long overdue work to restructure the basketball court, refurbish the playground and repair the fencing. Carson said the last major work was done at Roseland in 1993 with monies set aside from the Town of Tryon’s Community Development Block Grant funds.

Roseland was established in 1940 and has long served in a foundational role in Tryon’s historic African American community.

Its signature program for youth, the Roseland Institute for Summer Enrichment (RISE!), along with the annual Community Thanksgiving Dinner, Zumba classes and meetings place for various groups, including the Friendship Council and the Eastside Citizens Advisory Committee, keep Roseland busy throughout the year.

“Obviously we are grateful to the Polk County Community Foundation for this generous grant,” Carson said. “It will go a long way towards helping preserve a very special Eastside institution.”

– article submitted