Lynchburg’s White Rock Elementary to become community space

LYNCHBURG, Va. (WDBJ) - In Lynchburg, city leaders are working to breathe new life into the historic White Rock Elementary School, which has been vacant for two years.

Plans are underway to transform this century-old building into a vibrant community space that reflects the needs and values of local residents.

White Rock Elementary School has stood in the heart of Lynchburg since 1912, serving various purposes throughout its history. Most recently, it housed the Lynchburg Community Action Group, but with its relocation, the building awaits a new chapter. City officials see this as an opportunity to engage the community in its transformation.

“This could be a community center, a place for entrepreneurs, a community kitchen—I mean, the sky is the limit at this point,” says Anna Bentson, a spokeswoman for the City of Lynchburg.

Bentson said the future of the school is now in the hands of the community, and there’s a strong desire for collaboration.

“This is an opportunity to really reimagine this space and have the community come together to figure out what it’s going to be,” said Bentson.

The city has hired Work Program Architects to facilitate this process, ensuring community input plays a central role in the planning stages.

The Lynchburg City Council has already set aside funding for the project, focusing on designing a facility that serves the White Rock neighborhood effectively.

“The project is to reimagine all of this space—the school building itself, the cafeteria building next to it, and the grounds, including the playground in the back. So, really, the whole thing is up for re-imagination,” said Bentson.

Saturday, September 28, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., the City of Lynchburg will host the first of several community meetings at White Rock Baptist Church. This event will provide residents with a chance to share their ideas, meet the project team, and enjoy lunch while contributing to the vision for their neighborhood’s future.

The goal is to make White Rock Elementary more than just a building; it’s about creating a gathering place that serves the community’s diverse needs and aspirations.