SUNANDA CHARLES -
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR NORRISTOWN HOSPITALITY CENTER
Last Thursday we heard for one of our own members, SUNANDA CHARLES, Executive Director of the Norristown Hospitality Center. Sunanda gave us an update on the progress towards their new permanent site, and the difficulties they have experienced in making this move. The NHC had been in its previous site for 26 years until it was forced to relocate when a new owner of the property took over. Then began the tedious tasks of finding a new site, dealing with zoning board, and reassuring a skeptical community. This all had to be accomplished without totally disrupting the lives of the 500 persons that they served on a regular basis. There was a lot of uncertainty in the process, but throughout , Sunanda relates that she always had conviction that the Center would not shut down. She told of a couple of possibilities that came up, but excessive cost and other factors kept blocking finding a solution.
Finally this year a great location was found on Lafayette St. in a building that had been purposed for a movie studio, and although costly renovations would be needed, it was decided to proceed with this location. She worked with the community, zoning, and logistics people and is now in the process of obtaining a mortgage for the facility.
To finalize the plan she got previous Board members to meet and assist with the process. She is very thankful for the support and assistance from our Club member Jack Rule, who has bees associated with the Norristown Hospitality Center for many years. They hope to be using the facility by winter.
Along with a new location comes a new model for operation, one that is more modernized and welcoming, but it also brings the need for added financial support to the front.
Thank you Sunanda for giving us this update.