Belmont Recreational Center--Lohrey

The Belmont Recreation Center was organized during the school year of 1945-46 by the combined efforts of Belmont School, Belmont P.T.A., and the Dayton Bureau of Recreation.  Previous to that time there was no place of supervised recreation for young people in the Belmont area.

The Center was open three nights a week from 6 to 9 p.m., dividing the time among supervised games, tumbling, acrobatics, and craft classes.  Twice a month, a professional orchestra provided music for dancing.

The Belmont P.T.A. sponsored a snack bar, collected membership fees, hired the orchestra and provided chaperones.

During the years of its existence, the Center has given countless boys and girls the opportunity of participating in wholesome recreational activities.  At the same time, there has been a significant decrease in vandalism in this community.

The high rate of attendance at the Center is a source of considerable satisfaction to its sponsors.  It is apparent that the youth of Belmont appreciate this organization. The Center continued from 1945-1954.

The laying of the Cornerstone for the “Lohrey Community Center” one March 20, 1957, was the culmination of the efforts of the people of Belmont and the City Officials of Dayton to give this Community the facilities required for Civic functions. It replaced the Recreation Center on Wayne Ave.  Lohrey is now called the Lohrey Recreational Center.