Reinvesting in a community center
IN THE CITY
by Chris Beaulieu
In the 1940s, the community leaders of Presque Isle considered the William V. Haskell Community Center as an investment. Since that time, the facility has proudly served our area and has positively impacted multiple generations of youth and adults. Now, 70 years later, we are striving to re-invest in our community by creating a new community center.
Earlier this year, the City Council appointed a Community Center Building Committee. This committee has been working carefully with Mark Carter of North Peak Architecture in developing site and building concepts toward the goal of creating a new community center. From parking, to program space, to the buildings orientation to the sun, this committee is working hard to help determine the multitude of aspects involved.
The next phase in this project will likely be the toughest challenge in the entire process; fundraising. Over the next several months, this critical and difficult effort will begin. Let’s be honest, this project will take a significant commitment from this community, in fact a multi-million dollar commitment. The fund-raising effort will either push the project past the finish line or potentially cease it from moving another step.
Although not yet officially voted upon, the City Council has verbally committed up to $4 million toward this project. This is certainly a large amount of money, one that would impact each and every taxpayer in our community. To help illustrate what that impact might be to the average household, let me try to give an example: The average home in Presque Isle is valued at around $80,000. Let’s say the city was to borrow the funds at a rate of 4.25 percent to be repaid over 20 years. That would then make the city’s annual payment at $300,800 per year. In turn, the “average” household would see an increase of $47 in their tax bill per year, less than one dollar per week. Is that an investment you are willing to make? Very soon, the Council will need to make an official decision on whether to commit these funds. If you feel there is value in this commitment, please share those thoughts with the Council.
Unfortunately, funding through tax dollars is only one part of the equation. The remaining funding, likely in the $2.5 million to $3 million range, would need to be raised through public and private donations. Once again, another difficult challenge, but one I feel can be accomplished with support by many to help lead the way. Over the next few months, the City Council will be creating a Fund-raising Committee to undertake this task. We will be reaching out, looking for dynamic and energetic individuals to help play an important role in this step.
As a committee and a community, we are currently making great strides in creating this new facility and although there are many challenges ahead, I strongly believe this vital project can become a reality for our community very soon. With support from people like you, our community can once again make another great investment, as they did 70 years ago, in our youth and families of today, as well as in the many generations to follow.
For questions, to share your thoughts or to help become a part of this project please contact me at 764-2545 or e-mail me at cbeaulieu@presqueisleme.us.
Chris Beaulieu is Director of Recreation & Parks for the city of Presque Isle.
