Dwight School Opens Athletic Center in East Harlem

NEW YORK, June 18, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Dwight School, a leading independent school on Manhattan's Upper West Side founded in 1872, opened its newly refurbished, 40,000-square-foot athletic facility in the East River Landing cooperative at First Avenue and 108^th Street. Last week, Dwight School hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony six months after entering into an innovative community partnership with the 1199 Housing Corporation, owner of East River Landing. Dwight School Chancellor Stephen Spahn, the longest serving head of school in New York City; and President of the 1199 Housing Corporation William Dames, welcomed VIPs and members of the East Harlem community to tour the Dwight School Athletic Center.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130618/NY33624)

Due to financial reasons, the facility had been unused by 1199 residents for many years prior to Dwight's signing a 20-year lease in January 2013. After upgrades and enhancements, the space is now open to benefit both Dwight students and residents of the East River Landing cooperative of all ages. It features: a regulation-size high school gym with bleachers to seat 200, a 25-yard swimming pool, exercise and dance rooms, learning spaces, locker rooms, saunas, and two rooftop tennis courts.

Mike Bailey, former Director of Youth Sports at Asphalt Green, serves as Director of the Dwight School Athletic Center. Dwight will use the Center for: weekday PE and swimming classes; team practices and games for basketball, volleyball, swimming, and tennis; and after-school and summer day camp programs. 1199 residents will have full use of the facility mornings, evenings, and weekends. Joint student-resident programs will be developed, further enhancing fitness, learning, and leadership opportunities for all. In addition, Dwight School is providing scholarships to qualified residents in need and introducing them to Dwight's unique "spark of genius" educational philosophy, which fosters the development of every child's individual talents or passions.

Dwight (www.dwight.edu) was the first school in the U.S. to offer the comprehensive International Baccalaureate curriculum for students from preschool-grade 12. It is the flagship campus of The Dwight Schools with campuses and programs in London, Vancouver Island, Beijing, and Seoul.

Contact: Laurie Silbersweig, 212-724-6360 ext 463, [email protected]

SOURCE Dwight School