Even if it won't remain in its longtime home, the Campbell Street Community Center is not going away.
The Center will move some of its programs to Trinity Episcopal Church, 844 W. Fourth St.
Heather Eisner, operations manager, said the after school and senior programs will be offered at that site beginning Monday.
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CRAIG S. McKIBBEN JR./Sun-Gazette
Furniture and equipment sit in the gymnasium at The Center on Campbell Street, awaiting a move to Trinity Episcopal Church in the coming days.
"Those are our core programs," she said. "Everything we do kind of falls under those programs. It was more important to get the kids and seniors somewhere."
Those programs will continue at the same times.
Earlier this month, it was announced by The Center's officials that tenants of the facility at 600 Campbell St. were being evicted by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
The eviction notice came as the result of a federal investigation of unauthorized spending by the Lycoming County Housing Authority to support The Center.
Officials of The Center were faced this week with evacuating the site by the federally mandated Dec. 1 deadline.
The eviction remains in place.
But an agreement with Trinity Episcopal to house some of The Center's programs at least provides the community organization a temporary home.
"We talked to them," Eisner said. "They extended an invitation when we faced an issue last year. They have been more than welcoming."
The Rev. Ken Wagner-Pizza, rector of Trinity Episcopal Church, said a relocation of The Center's programs to the church had been discussed for quite some time, although nothing was finalized until just recently.
He said the church is glad to provide space for The Center.
"They are paying a nominal fee to help with utilities," he said.
In the meantime, officials of The Center still hope to find a more permanent home.
Deed restrictions at the the present location prevent the property from being used for any purpose other than as a community center.
County housing authority officials have indicated that they hope to receive offers to purchase the building from groups, including The Center, looking to honor such deed restrictions.
Eisner said some volunteers have stepped forward to help with the relocation process.
However, any additional help is welcome.
Officials are asking for boxes and packing materials, as well as trucks for moving items.
Eisner said she is happy that The Center will continue to serve the community.
"We are not going to stop providing the programs we have been providing," she said.
