2009 News Archive 

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Johns Creek landmark gets major renovation

The landmark Newtown Community Clubhouse reopens July 29, following a major renovation of the building, which has served the Johns Creek community for more than 50 years.

Before renovation

The little building was the site of many a Fourth of July picnic, quilting bee and social gathering for the residents of Newtown, one of several historical farming communities that populated north Fulton County beginning in the late 19th century.

"We're excited about having helped preserve a bit of Johns Creek' history through our partnership with the Newtown Park Community Foundation, while at the same time creating an attractive space for the public to use at one of our most popular parks," said Mayor Michael Bodker.

After renovation

View of the park

The clubhouse was originally built by a group of enterprising residents in the 1950s because they wanted to improve communications and interaction between homeowners spread out on farms miles apart in the then rural, unincorporated area, says Lynn Pennington, president of the Newtown Park Community Foundation.

"They called themselves the Newtown Community Club and they raised money from individual donors to build the clubhouse in 1953. It was a big deal to have this space to socialize and talk about important issues affecting the community, far from county activities down in Atlanta," Pennington said.

Now part of Johns Creek's 46-acre Newtown Park, the clubhouse also served as a temporary courthouse and voting precinct over the years and was in regular use until last December when it closed for the major face-lift.

Funded by the City of Johns Creek, the Newtown Park Community Foundation and Fulton County (Special Services District monies allocated to Newtown Park in the County's 2007 budget), the renovation includes new plumbing, roof, porch and landscaping; increased meeting space; and updated restrooms.

The renovation was coordinated by the foundation, spearheaded by MRL Design (architect), Landry Design Associates (landscape architect), Gunn Construction & Development, Inc. (builder), Howley Landscaping (landscaping), Climatic Corporation (HVAC) and Atlanta HVAC Mechanical (HVAC) and overseen by the City's Recreation & Parks Department.

The City will host a public reopening celebration Wednesday, July 29 at 7 pm at the clubhouse, 3115 Old Alabama Road, Johns Creek, GA 30022.