By Kathy McCarty
Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — Members of the Community Center Fund-raising Committee met with councilors during a goal-setting workshop held at Governor’s Restaurant on Feb. 13. The group discussed the committee’s progress and what lies ahead for the fund-raising campaign.
Present for the meeting were: Committee Co-Chairs Steve and Lucy Richard, Committee member Scott Norton; City Manager Jim Bennett; Deputy City Manager Martin Puckett; Council Chair Emily Smith; Deputy Chair Randy Smith; and Councilors Craig Green, Pete Hallowell, Mike Chasse and Dick Engels.
Discussion began with Green indicating there’d been a feeling of “disconnection” between City Council and the Committee. Norton agreed, adding, “there’s been a disconnect from day 1.”
“It did seem at the beginning a feeling of (city officials telling us) ‘go out and raise the money and we’ll be here with the other half,’” said Norton.
Steve and Lucy Richard took turns speaking, noting their weekly meetings and efforts to raise awareness of why a new facility was needed.
“There’ve been some challenges. The outdoor pool closing has become a challenge to us, now the indoor pool has caused more challenges. The project has grown since we were initially asked to do this project,” said Steve.
“It’s a challenge but I don’t think anyone’s lost interest,” said Lucy.
Norton acknowledged MMG’s donation of $100,000 “was fantastic” and that it served as an incentive for other businesses to come on board, as the committee works to raise half of the estimated $7 million it will cost to build the structure.
“They (MMG officials) see the need. That’s an angle we definitely use as part of our presentation — having a healthy community. This will be a place to bring all age groups together at one facility,” said Norton.
Steve said part of the problem is the fact the committee is made entirely of volunteers.
“We’re all volunteers. Jim (Bennett) has been able to free up some people to work with us, but this is huge. I’m not sure how much more our committee can do without bringing in some new blood,” said Steve. “We all know we want it and feel we need it, but we have to pull together to do it.”
One of the challenges has been a lack of drawings of what the new building will look like.
“It’s only a concept at this point,” said Steve, which makes it hard to explain to those wanting more information before making a donation.
Norton said where the city’s portion of the cost will come from has been another issue.
“A local business has been generous in past years but now the owner says ‘this is how I’ve been treated by the city. How do you expect me to pay for this?” said Norton. “That’s one obstacle. I can relate, my taxes have gone up.”
Norton said the city has a “a lot of old facilities and as a businessman, I don’t want to put my good money into old facilities.”
Support from community organizations, including the Kiwanis Club and Downtown Revitalization Committee, has been positive, said Norton.
“We have a lot of community involvement. I think everyone understands we truly need this. When you take a look at what the Community Center will do, I think you’ll see the value in it,” said Steve.
Bennett said fund-raising efforts have neared $440,000 to date.
“There’s a lot of positives here but we’re running out of time,” said Bennett, referring to the condition of the William Haskell building and the need to replace it as soon as possible.
Engels suggested looking further into grant writing and what might be available for funding such a project. Lucy said the Next Gen grant would be a good match.
The group discussed the need for additional volunteers to help raise awareness and make presentations about the Community Center.
“There’s a lot to be had here. It will improve real estate values in the area and be a huge draw to the community,” said Green.
As the meeting came to a close, one of the councilors announced he too would be making a donation toward the new facility.
“I’ve never done this before, but I want to donate my councilor stipend (councilors received $1,000 a year) for the next two years and an additional $2,000. It’s hard for me to do, but it’s also my responsibility to the community,” said Chasse.
FMI on the fund-raising campaign or to volunteer, call 764-2545 or visit www.picommunitycenter.com.
