A number of residents have reached out to me recently to ask about changes they’d heard were happening at the Laurel Armory. Mayor Sydnor shared at this week’s Regular Meeting some background and history, as well as the plans that are currently underway for new programming starting August 31.

I’ve queued up the video below for folks to catch what he shared even if you weren’t able to make it to the meeting:

I encourage you to watch the video for the full picture, and a few of the highlights he shared include:

  • On August 31, the Prince George’s County Boys & Girls Club (PGBGC) will be starting a program at the Armory for kids in Kindergarten through 5th grade from around 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday.

  • A Day Camp program is also expected during the summer months (I believe I understood to start summer 2027) and would run weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

  • The programs will occupy spaces on the ground floor and second floor of the Armory, and access to those areas will not be permitted during program time.

  • City programs that currently take place at those times and spaces are expected to be shifted to other Laurel facilities, such as the DiPietro Center or Multiservice Center.

  • Resident access will remain available to the basement level through the side door during those times, where the exercise room, dance room, and a meeting room are.

  • The kids program will be provided free of charge by PGBGC to the region, I believe I understood to hear using federal Title 1 dollars. It would include 60 minutes of tutoring combined with other activities.

  • As part of the arrangement, Mayor Sydnor shared he’d coordinated with Maryland Delegate Ben Barnes to facilitate the award of a $1 million capital grant from the state to the PGBGC. These funds are expected to be used toward capital improvements to the interior of the Armory in connection with their programs.

  • I believe I understood to hear that a 15-year contract is signed/ will be signed for these programs.

Thank you again to residents for bringing this to Council’s attention, and I appreciate the Mayor sharing this information with the community at Monday night’s meeting. I believe there are follow-up questions from residents and Council on some of the related details, and if you have questions or thoughts as well, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me and/or other members of Council we’ll do our best to obtain answers for you.