Staff Writer
WASHBURN – The Washburn Trailrunners Snowmobile Club, whose clubhouse is located on the Station Road, has proven what good neighbors they are with the recent donation of $5,000 to the Mill Pond Project.
Staff photo/Kathy McCarty
NEIGHBORLY ASSISTANCE – The Washburn Trailrunners Snowmobile Club made a neighborly donation of $5,000 toward the Mill Pond Project, with funds going toward upgrades at the park and pond located just up the street from the organization’s clubhouse. Pictured for the check presentation were, from left: Alan Carter, club president; Rodney Sperrey, club vice president; Town Manager Andrea Powers; Dick Hartford, club treasurer; and Doc Albert, BINGO director at the clubhouse. Behind the group is the club’s new CAT trail groomer.
The town is in the midst of a project at the Mill Pond, just up the street from the clubhouse, that involves a number of improvements, including creating a connecting trail between the Mill Pond Park and the Thomas Brewer Park, as well as dredging of the pond to make it a more attractive place to visit and the addition of new playground equipment.
“The playground equipment is due here by mid-October. We’re planning a committee day to put it together,” said Town Manager Andrea Powers.
Powers said the town has applied for several grants but won’t know until after the first of the year which ones may become a reality.
“We’ve written a grant for funds to dredge the pond in the spring. We should know later this fall if we will receive that,” said Powers. “The pond project is a long-term process that will take five to seven years to complete. Our goal is to have a trail between the Mill Pond Park and the Thomas Brewer Park.”
Brownfields, part of the DEP, is doing site evaluation, according to Powers.
“There’ll be a lot of work and it will take a lot of time, but we’ll get it done,” she said.
Fund-raising efforts have been under way for nearly a year, with the cost of the entire project estimated at $3 million. With the club’s donation, nearly $30,000 has been raised to date.
The club’s $5,000 contribution came as a bit of a surprise to Powers.
“I just got word of this presentation recently. It’s so wonderful to have such support,” said Powers.
Club Vice President Rodney Sperrey said the money comes from two sources.
“We (club members) work in the kitchen all winter to raise money and hold various fund-raisers for the club. Half of the money came from that general account. The other half came from games,” said Sperrey.
Sperrey said the decision to donate to the Mill Pond Project came about following word the club would be receiving a grant.
“We were surprised to get nearly $52,000 through a Capital Equipment Grant. That’s the largest we’ve received to date. That meant we had some extra cash, so we thought we’d share our good fortune,” said Sperrey.
Incoming Club President Alan Carter said the donation was made for the good of the community.
“The funds will be used on a project that will benefit everyone,” said Carter.
Work is progressing slowly on the project and is expected to take five to seven years to complete.
For more information or to make a donation, contact Powers at 455-8485. For more information on the club, visit www.washburntrailrunners.com.
