SYRACUSE - Almost four months after the July 9 groundbreaking, the Lakeside Park Community Center, Syracuse, is taking shape.

According to Syracuse Parks and Recreation Superintendent Michael Hixenbaugh, "I think we're right on target." The goal is to move in in May and open in June.

The center will be more than 15,000 square feet and will sit on approximately 3.8 acres of donated property. The steel frame for the gymnasium was completed Sept. 27. Most of the concrete is finished except for the gym and some detail work.

Framing for the rest of the facility started Oct. 3. Grass seed is planted and the slope to the parking area is stabilized, he said. The electricians also have the transformer pad completed.

"Our goal is, it looks like we're pretty close to getting the decking on before November," said Hixenbaugh on the next big step for the center to be completed.

Though the community center is coming along, he said, they are continuing to raise money. Even once they raise all the money for the community center to be built, donations will continue to be taken for equipment and the endowment fund. Anyone wishing to donate can call 457-3440 or send checks payable to Syracuse-Wawasee Park Foundation, 310 N. Huntington St., Syracuse, IN 46567.

To help raise money for the project, the Wawasee Kiwanis Club is sponsoring a brick program. For $100 for a 4-inch by 8-inch paving brick, a person can "sponsor" a brick to memorialize someone in three lines with up to 14 characters per line. An 8-inch by 8-inch paving brick with four lines and up to 14 characters per line is $250, and a company logo and name can be placed on the same size paving brick for $500. Tax-deductible checks can be made out to Wawasee Kiwanis Club, P.O. Box 2, Syracuse, IN 46567. For more information, contact Scott Abbs at 457-2227 or [email protected]

In addition, the Wawasee Kiwanis pledged $50,000 to the community center. Pledges for the center total $72,250 and donations from private individuals total more than $330,000.

Hixenbaugh said, "I'm looking forward to moving in and having the opportunity to provide programs for this community" for senior citizens, children and adults. He said he's also looking to join with service or other groups to provide activities for the center.

"I'll work with any group that will help improve the quality of life for the people in Syracuse," he said.

Some of the possible activities for the community center may include basketball, summer day camp, teen club, field day, dance classes for youth; aerobics, dance classes, bingo, trips, yoga and others for adults.

"Basically, there are economic, individual and environmental benefits to parks and recreation in general," Hixenbaugh said. Benefits to the town include family unity, weight loss, diminished chance of disease, reduced stress, increased community pride, reduced crime, keeping business from leaving and attracting new business, offering a place for social interaction and diminishing gang violence.

With the community center, Hixenbaugh said, "I hope to provide everyone in this community with a program or activity they want. If I don't get you to the community center, I'm not doing my job. I believe that. It's my biggest goal." [[In-content Ad]]