Bailey Community Center has gym, money, uniforms, and players but no teams

In the 60's and 70's the Afro -American citizens of Bailey Crossroads lobbied for a recreation center  to be built in the community.  Their plea continually fell on deaf ears.  A breakthrough came in 1976 at a Fairfax County board of supervisors meeting, about 1 a.m. in the morning. It was reported that the board had approximately $250,000 of unobligated Federal Block grant money to dispense.  Colonel Charles Robinson (retired military), a member of the Springdale Civic Association, seized the opportunity to request that the funds be used to build a community center in Baileys Crossroads.  The board consented.

In 1978 the center was completed and opened for business.  It was named, Bailey's Community Center. 

Walter Hawkins, a graduate of Utah University, was hired as the director. He held the position for over 27 years.

(to be continued)

Bailey's Community Center gets much needed repairs. We appreciate Penny Gross help.

Last winter the gym floor was restored and painted and new lights were installed.  After these repairs the citizens started coming back to the gym in large numbers to play basketball and participate in other activities on the gym floor.

Since the repairs, the center director has implemented procedures to protect the costly gym floor from abuse by users.

It is now Fall season, and the gym is still looking good.

We thank Penny Gross, Mason District Supervisor, for her assistance in the gym's restoration.

As a practice, I don't generally write about politicians and politics. However, as an exception, I want the community and county folks to know that Penny is a person who cares and she reaches out to help persons in her district and the county in many ways that are not known to the general public.

I would be remiss, if I don't mention that Bailey's Community Center does not have a single youth basketball team participating in a league in the county.

Four years ago we had 7 teams, 17 volunteers, plenty of uniforms, all the money we needed and more than 70 kids ready to play.   What happen? To get my version of the collapse, you must read the Guardian exclusive story on November 10th.