TJ Robertson Life Center pitches community partnership; board authorizes MOU negotiations

The board heard a proposal from the TJ Robertson Life Center on June 16 to partner with the Town of Hope Mills to expand youth programming and host regular community weekends that would share proceeds with the town. The presenter (identified in meeting materials and introductions as Mrs. Robertson / Charlotte) described plans to lease court space, provide discounted hours for town programs, and run mentoring and workforce‑readiness classes.

Mrs. Robertson said the center is exploring a revenue‑sharing model in which one weekend a month would be promoted as a “Hope Mills community weekend,” with proceeds split between the center and the town to support parks and recreation programs. She also described longer‑term ideas including tiny homes for veterans, seniors and former foster youth on an available parcel and asked the town to consider short‑term lease support for court hours to keep local teams in town.

Town staff told the board there is no formal request for funding at this stage; instead the recommendation before the board was procedural: authorize the town manager to negotiate a memorandum of understanding with the center to define partnership terms. The board approved the authorization and directed staff to return with draft language and, if appropriate, a proposed lease or MOU for board review.

Next steps Staff and center representatives will negotiate MOU language and bring a draft back to the board for formal approval; the town manager and parks staff will coordinate operational details such as court scheduling and insurance.