Community Center History

The two story brick building was built in 1923 and contained classrooms for kindergarten through 12th grade for Central Rural School District #2. The district added onto the building in 1927 and 1935. Many people today remember the building's final school use as the sixth grade school.  

In 1975, in response to a decline in enrollments, the school district began renting space in the building to a variety of civic and cultural organizations including the Town of Yorktown. In 1976, however, the school district proceeded to retain a realtor to sell the building. It was believed that a commercial developer was interested in purchasing the property. The danger of demolition of the building posed a threat to the continuance of this de facto community center facility.

In response to the situation, a grass-roots ad hoc committee was formed to save the school and public support for the project began to grow. Representatives of the committee approached the Yorktown Town Board, seeking its support for the project. As the revitalization of the former school building has been established as an integral part of Yorktown's Master Plan, and Central Business District Plan adopted in 1976, the Town Board committed its support to the project.

The Town acquired the building on July 1, 1980 and developed a multi-phased program for the adaptive reuse of the former school building as a community center. In the years that the Town has owned the building, it has invested staff time and money for the planning and design of numerous rehabilitation projects within the building. Additionally, it has applied for and received a variety of grants for capital improvements, administration, programming, training programs, and technical assistance.

On July 1, 2018, the Yorktown Community & Cultural Center was renamed the Albert A. Capellini Community & Cultural Center after long time resident and former Town Supervisor Al Capellini. Al was an integral member of the Yorktown community for almost five decades having served with distinction as a member of the Yorktown Town Council and thereafter as Town Supervisor.  He was also a well respected attorney, advocate, public servant and contributed in numerous ways to the betterment of our community.