Staff Writer
The long-awaited opening of the new $3 million Wellness and Recreation Center drew hundreds of spectators Sunday anxious for their first peek at the premier facility.
Aroostook Republican photo/Debra Walsh
The new Caribou Wellness and Recreation Center, which held its grand opening ceremony on Sunday, is busy throughout the day with walkers utilizing the elevated track. Here, walkers, from left Lorraine Morin, Nancy Leavitt and Delores Morin put in their laps on Tuesday morning. The lanes are decorated with tortoise and hare symbols.
Children walked around the elevated walking track, while others admired the new gymnasium before the opening ceremony began.
‘We have a number of things to celebrate today during this grand opening, but I believe the most important thing we can celebrate is community and especially the spirit of community that is alive and well right here in Caribou, Maine,” said Susan White, chairman of the Caribou Parks and Recreation Commission.
At times the issue of great debate, the new gymnasium is the first phase of a wellness and recreation complex that eventually may include a weight room and indoor pool. The project’s planning and construction has been ongoing for six years. In 2006, voters approved a $3.3 million package. However, the construction was complete for $2.9 million, a total of $435,522 under the budget. According to recreation officials, the total cost of the gym includes the costs for the covering to provide protection for the gym floor and for bleachers that will seat more than 500 spectators.
The gym already is a hub of activity with people coming to utilize the elevated walking track as well as the track on the gym’s main floor.
Sunday’s festivities included music from the Caribou High School Concert Band, speeches and a myriad of congratulations from city officials and those who had a direct part to play in the financing and construction of the facility.
“The first thing to say is ‘wow,’ ” said Mayor Miles Williams, during his comments.
Williams noted the good reputation that the local recreation department and the city’s youth carry around the state.
“The mark of a good community is its programs and its youth,” said Williams.
Phil Bosse of Caribou, who manages the field office for U.S. Sen. Susan Collins, delivered congratulations from his boss. Collins had secured some federal funding for the new building.
“This state-of-the art wellness center will provide recreation and fitness opportunities for residents of all ages for many years to come and will serve as a terrific venue for hosting a variety of community events and activities,” Collins said in a letter read by Bosse.
Another financial partner, the Maine Department of Economic and Community Development, cited the community’s hard work and commitment to the project. The agency secured $445,201 toward the effort.
“The benefit (of the project) cannot be measured in dollars,” said Brian Longstaff, who represented the state agency.
Kris Doody, chief executive officer for Cary Medical Center, also offered congratulations. CMC also has partnered with the city through a $500,000 donation to the project.
“Our entire community should take pride in what we have,” said Doody.
A special guest at the opening ceremony was Caribou native Nancy Allen, who along with her brother, Robert Allen of South Carolina, donated $500,000 to the city in 2000. That donation was evenly divided between the hospital and the recreation center.
“The Allen family is the epitome of philanthropy and we are grateful for their donation to the community that nurtured them through their formative years,” White said.
Nancy Allen was presented with a plaque dedicating the walking track in her and her brother’s names.
The building’s general contractor, J.P. Martin and Sons and B.R. Smith Assoc., who designed the facility, also offered remarks.
The heating, electrical and plumbing systems are large enough to service future expansions, according to Tim Doak, of B.R. Smith Assoc.
“What you see here today is the product of a great team,” said James Martin, the contractor.
Martin, who also built the local hospital, commended the local subcontractors who “worked so hard to keep this under budget.”
“It has been my great pleasure to construct this wellness center,” said Martin. “ ‘Well done’ to the citizens of Caribou for allowing this project to move forward.”
Martin and Doak presented Kathy Mazzuchelli, recreation director, with a large red key to the building.
“We are your asset managers,” Mazzuchelli said. “This is your asset. We hope it’s come together and meets your expectations.”
Aroostook Republican photo/Debra Walsh
It was history in the making Sunday as Caribou’s mulit-million dollar Wellness and Recreation Center was showcased to the public for the first time. Taking part in the ribbon-cutting ceremony were, from left, front row: Shawn Foster, parks and rec committee; Kris Doody, Cary Medical Center; Karla Bell, David Martin, Mayor Miles Williams and Robert Albert, city councilors; Nancy Allen, Legacy donor; and Emma Duplissie Cyr, Devin Ballard, Adam Flynn, Nolan McDuffie, Kayla Cormier and Alissa Randolph, Teague Park Student Council 2002 members. Back row: Reginald Reed, parks and rec committee; Karen Chapman, building committee; William Schofield, parks and rec committee; Neil Griffeth, building commitee; Jane Mavor Small, parks and rec committee; Catherine Anderson, building committee; Susan White, chair parks and recreation committee; Steven Buck, city manager; Ken Murchison, city councilor; Phil Bosse, Sen. Susan Collins’ office; Brian Longstaff, Department of Economic and Community Development office; Steve Wentworth, city code enforcement office; Athil Hebert, building committee; and Kathy Mazzuchelli, superintendent of parks and recreation.
Aroostook Republican photo/Debra Walsh
The Caribou High School Concert Band, under the direction of Vaughn McLaughlin played the National Anthem and another selection on Sunday during the grand opening of the new Caribou Wellness and Recreation Center. With an audience of hundreds attending the ceremony, McLaughlin said that it was one of othe largest audiences that his band had entertained.
