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Approve Council Naming Committee Recommendation to Name the Northside Gym at Hargraves Community Center for Nate Davis and the Indoor Basketball Court at Hargraves Community Center for Fred Battle.
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Staff: |
Department: |
John French, Recreation Supervisor |
Parks and Recreation |
Susan Brown, Director |
Library |
Overview: Hargraves Community Center, Chapel Hill’s community-built and community-led recreation center, was conceived of and established by the Black community in the 1930s. The Council Naming Committee recommends honoring the Town’s two longest serving leaders of Hargraves by naming the gym for Mr. Nate Davis and by naming the indoor basketball court for Mr. Fred Battle. Together both Mr. Davis and Mr. Battle have positively impacted countless lives in Chapel Hill such that their names are synonymous for many with the Hargraves Community Center.

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Recommendation(s): |
That the Council authorize the Town Manager to proceed with naming the Northside Gym for Nate Davis and naming the indoor basketball court for Fred Battle.
Fiscal Impact/Resources: Costs for re-signing the Hargraves Community Center spaces are to be determined.
Where is this item in its process?


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Attachments: |
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• Resolution |
A RESOLUTION RECOMMENDING NAMING THE NORTHSIDE GYM AT HARGRAVES COMMUNITY CENTER FOR NATE DAVIS AND NAMING THE INDOOR BASKETBALL COURT AT HARGRAVES COMMUNITY CENTER FOR FRED BATTLE (2022-09-14/R-12)
WHEREAS, Hargraves Community Center, Chapel Hill’s community-built and community-led recreation center was conceived of and established by the Black community in the 1930s; and
WHEREAS, Fred Battle served as director of Hargraves from 1970-1987, and continued to serve as an administrator within the Town’s Parks and Recreation Department through 2009; and
WHEREAS, during his tenure as Hargraves Director, Fred Battle helped establish many new programs and services at the Center, including the Ebone Soul Strutters dance group and enhancements to Holmes Day Care; and
WHEREAS, Fred Battle devoted his life to social justice through service on Town and County advisory boards, as a lifetime member of the NAACP and the Rainbow Coalition, and as an active participant in the 1960s direct action Civil Rights Movement; and
WHEREAS, Nate Davis began working at Hargraves in 1973 and served as director of Hargraves from 1988-2019; and
WHEREAS, during his tenure as Director of Hargraves, Nate Davis developed programs to meet the needs of all Chapel Hill residents with a special focus on the Northside Community, including the planning and construction of the Northside Gym; and
WHEREAS, Nate Davis has been a pillar in Chapel Hill with over 50 years of service that includes a lifetime membership with the NAACP, helping to found the influential Breakfast Club, service on several Town and County Boards, and many service awards including the Cal Horton Award for Employee of the Year with the Town of Chapel Hill; and
WHEREAS, together both Mr. Davis and Mr. Battle have positively impacted countless lives in Chapel Hill such that their names are synonymous for many with the Hargraves Community Center; and
WHEREAS, the Council Naming Committee recommends honoring the two longest serving leaders of Hargraves Community Center by naming the gymnasium for Mr. Nate Davis and by naming the basketball court for Mr. Fred Battle.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the Town of Chapel Hill that the Council authorize the Town Manager to proceed with naming the Northside Gym at Hargraves Community Center for Nate Davis and naming the indoor basketball court at Hargraves Community Center for Fred Battle.
This the 14th day of September, 2022.
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The Agenda will reflect the text below and/or the motion text will be used during the meeting. |
presenter
PRESENTER: John French, Recreation Supervisor Hargraves Community Center
Susan Brown, Library Director
RECOMMENDATION: That the Council authorize the Town Manager to proceed with naming the Northside Gym at Hargraves Community Center for Nate Davis and naming the indoor basketball court at Hargraves Community Center for Fred Battle.