Property donated to Gaston County Schools

Former athletic club property donated to Gaston County Schools

Generous gift from Don and Mary Doctor is valued in excess of $2 million  

Gaston County Schools is pleased to announce the acquisition of the former Armstrong Athletic Club property located at 3372 Robinwood Road in Gastonia.  The property, valued in excess of $2 million, is a generous gift presented to Gaston County Schools by Don and Mary Doctor.

Work is underway to transform the building from a gymnasium to a multiuse space where teachers, administrators, students, and others can engage in academic-related programs, workshops, and events.  In addition to space for collaboration, the building will include offices for the school system’s Academic Services division.  A ribbon-cutting and open house celebration is planned for January.

Superintendent of Schools Morgen A. Houchard stated, “This is a very generous contribution to Gaston County Schools, and we are extremely grateful to Mr. and Mrs. Don Doctor for making this donation possible.  It is not every day that you receive a gift of this magnitude, which is why we are especially appreciative.”

Dr. Houchard added, “The space will give us an opportunity to further enhance our focus on high-quality teaching and learning and provide Gaston County Schools with more space for collaboration and engagement involving everyone from teachers and school administrators to students, parents, and the community.  Our overall vision for this property is for it to be a hub for innovation and excellence in academics that complements the work and attention that our schools give to academic achievement.”

The building, known as the home of the Armstrong Athletic Club for the past 20 years, was named to honor the life and legacy of Todd S. Armstrong, a man of faith who believed in the importance of exercise and nutrition as it relates to healthy living.  During his successful career, Armstrong became known as one of the top personal trainers in the Gastonia region, and it was his dream to own and operate a gym.  Unfortunately, he passed away in 2001 at age 40 after a battle with lymphoma before realizing his dream.  The Armstrong Athletic Club was established in 2005 by Mary Doctor to honor Armstrong’s commitment to health and wellness and the community.

“We believe giving this property to Gaston County Schools is a way for us to support and strengthen K-12 public education in the same way that Todd worked to strengthen healthy living in our community,” stated Don Doctor.  “For Todd, a key component of being healthy was being educated about physical fitness, nutrition, and wellness.  I certainly believe that Todd would be proud to know that this facility will continue to focus on educating, supporting, and lifting up our community.”

Don and Mary Doctor are Gastonia residents, who are known across the Charlotte region and beyond for their long-time philanthropy and involvement in community, fine arts, and education-related initiatives such as Blumenthal Arts, Cramer Mountain Club, and other organizations.  Each year, the Mary Doctor Fine Arts Scholarship is presented to two deserving students who require monetary assistance to attend college with a fine arts major.

Another perk of acquiring the property, according to Houchard, is its location and close proximity to Hawks Nest STEAM Academy and Robinson Elementary School.  In the short-term, it provides additional space that teachers, students, and parents at the two schools can use.  Long term, the property, which is in a high-traffic area of Gastonia, is ideal for school expansion as the community continues to grow.

The property acquisition was completed in August with its donation to the Gaston County Board of Education.  The single-story building includes 14,400 square feet of space and sits on 2.63 acres of land between Hawks Nest STEAM Academy and Davis Memorial Baptist Church.