Former school is now a professional center in Alton Park
photo by Wes Schultz
Auditorium
photo by Wes Schultz
Dr. William Bud Helton
photo by Wes Schultz
Dwan D. Austin
photo by Wes Schultz
Felton Chinn
photo by Wes Schultz
Hal Bowling
photo by Wes Schultz
Coach Jennings
photo by Wes Schultz
Pat Harrington
photo by Wes Schultz
The former John P. Franklin Middle School in Alton Park has reopened as the Southside Professional Center.
It will include business incubator, a youth basketball camp and programs aimed at helping Alton Park residents find jobs.
William Helton bought the former school to make a multi-purpose center.
Erlanger currently is using a section for a health center. Mr. Helton said he hopes Erlanger or some other provider will continue the center.
Erlanger's $1-per-year contract is up in less than a year.
A "Legends" basketball league will be started this summer for mens and women for those who did not get drafted to the pros or get scholarships to colleges.
Round-robin tournaments will run during the summer, all at the center's gym which has new break-away goals. The league will be run by Felton Chinn, who will be bringing in former pro players to assist. The goal is to entice people through basketball and then teach them life lessons.
The center is now available for leasing and the cost for each tenant will depend on their situation with a possibilty of no cost for the first few months to assist start-up business. Any needed repairs or alterations will be done on a lease by lease situation.
Mr. Helton said the building itself is in good shape, but some minor cleaning and repairing remain inside.
The center seeks community input and will have youngsters sitting with the board for their input.
Pat Harrington, a job placement professional, will train people to a level that will help them be attractive to employers. The goal is getting people prepared and not job placement.
Staff:
Dwan D. Austin - Facility Administrator
Dr. William "Bud" Helton - CEO Helton & Associates - Owner of Southside Professional Center
Lurone "Coach" Jennings, Sr - Executive Director The Bethlehem Center - Senior Advisor for SPC
Felton Chinn - Vice President/COO - 3C's Fatherhood & Mentoring Program - Director of Basketball Operations - Camps/Legends Basketball Assoc (LBA)
Hal Bowling - Director of LAUNCH of Chattanooga
Pat Harrington - Director of HOPE Job Training Ministry