PROPERTY SALE TO ALLOW FOR CAMP SERTOMA, MUSEUM ARCHIVES TO REMAIN IN PLACE

DALLAS, N.C. – Following weeks of productive conversations, on Monday the Gaston County Board of Commissioners approved the sale of the Mary Ellen Nelson Center to Partners Health Management. Critically, the sale agreement will allow existing tenants Camp Sertoma and the Gaston County Museum of Art & History to remain for a minimum of seven years.

The county sold the 21.4-acre property, located at 1904 Dallas Cherryville Highway, for $2.6 million to Partners, which plans to use the property for a child facility-based crisis center.

"Partners Health Management appreciates the Gaston County Board of Commissioners’ leadership and collaboration as we build on the history of the Mary Ellen Nelson Center and strengthen the system of care for children and families across Gaston County. The need for children’s crisis services has never been greater, and this property allows us to bring those services close to home while supporting Camp Sertoma and the Gaston County Museum of Art & History as they continue their important contributions to the community,” said Partners Health Management CEO Libby McCraw. “We look forward to continuing our strong partnership with the County as we bring the Child Facility-Based Crisis Center to life.”

The agreement is an example of an agreement that is beneficial for all the entities involved. The Gaston County Museum of Art & History currently uses a portion of the property to house its archives, which contain a majority of the museum’s more than 83,000 pieces from its total collection.

“We are deeply grateful to Gaston County Management, the Board of Commissioners, and Partners Health Management for working together on the sale of the former Mary Ellen Nelson Center. The Gaston County Museum of Art & History has been a trusted community resource for 50 years, and this new collaboration with Partners will enable us to continue to meet our mission,” Gaston County Museum Executive Director Ali Pizza said. “When government, non-profits, and local businesses work together, there’s potential for truly innovative outcomes. We look forward to a new collaboration that combines healthcare and the healing effects of the arts.”

Camp Sertoma is a nonprofit which has operated a summer camp for disabled youths and adults on a portion of the property for nearly five decades. Much like the Museum, the agreement with Partners Health Management will allow Camp Sertoma to continue providing an important resource for members of the community.

“We want to thank Partners for the agreement we’ve reached, which really makes this a win-win all the way around,” Board of Commissioners Chairman Chad Brown said. “The board found additional use for a piece of property that will benefit our community, while also allowing those currently there to continue normal operations for the years ahead.”