North Webster Seniors Seek Space In Community Center
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
NORTH WEBSTER - To make sure all the i's are dotted and the t's are crossed, state commerce department representatives visited with about 25 senior citizens, town council members and grant administrator Bob Murphy Monday.
The seniors want to organize a space of their own in the community center - the former North Webster Elementary school building.
North Webster Community Center Inc. took ownership of the facility Feb. 18.
Murphy wrote a grant asking for $260,000 from the Indiana Department of Commerce's Community Development Division.
Mary Beth Schmucker, an IDOC deputy director, and Ed Fansler, a north field representative, were more than half an hour late for the meeting at town hall.
They explained their tardiness by saying they were half of a four-member "scoring committee" that awards grants. They were visiting other communities applying for $12 million in available grant funds, visiting sites and making sure the applications are letter-perfect. They got a bit behind.
Schmucker said there are 89 applications before the board this year asking for $37 million. About 60 percent of the requests will be approved.
Murphy outlined funding for the community center, saying the Palace of Sports committed an initial $250,000 per year and $50,000 per year for 10 years for maintenance; the Dekko Foundation approved a $300,000 challenge grant, which requires an equal amount of matching funds; and Indiana Development Finance Authority is issuing a $200,000 low-interest loan.
Before touring the elementary school the state representatives asked several questions concerning the seniors' intentions and how they've conducted fund-raisers in the past.
Senior center space has been designated as 8,000 square feet in size, which includes a kitchen, the cafeteria and room space.
The Kosciusko Community YMCA plans to hold classes in the community center, with many geared for seniors.
Although there is no formal "club," seniors meet in churches and are members of the North Webster Kiwanis Club and the American Legion.
Dick Hinton, president of the North Webster Kiwanis Club, said there are more than 100 members who work on several projects. The local club is considered one of the top clubs in the state.
American Legion member Robert Stevens said the local organization has 2,000 members and is the biggest little Legion in the state.
"North Webster is a community that works together," said Helen Hoy. "The clubs and the churches support the food pantry."
"We take care of our own just as the Bible tells us," another woman said.
Schmucker said each organization should write a letter detailing their projects and support of the senior center for inclusion in the application.
She said she was impressed with the turnout - usually only three or four people show up at these preliminary meetings.
The deputy director also expressed her concern regarding the plans to tear down the 1911 portion of the building, calling it a shame to do so.
"Has it been reviewed by the (Department of Natural Resources) Historic Preservation Division?" she asked.
Murphy presented a letter from the DNR, saying if the federal Housing and Urban Development had no objections it could be torn down.
The 90-year-old section of the building has never been considered as housing, Murphy said, because that portion is divided into six levels and would be almost impossible to renovate.
By removing the "old" part, heating costs will go from $100,000 per year to $48,000 per year.
North Webster town council president Kay Andrews said plans are to salvage what they can of the building - the stone lintel with "North Webster" chiseled into it, for example, will be salvaged along with the bricks.
Andrews said the usable portions of the building have been earmarked.
The Lakeland Youth Center has more than 100 children and their parents using the gynmasium space six days a week.
Schmucker reiterated her concern and asked that a case be made for why this portion of building is coming down.
She said due to the space being used, the center is eligible for $415,800, with a match of $46,200, not $462,000.
She also asked how the loan would be paid, and Andrews said the town would take the $12,000 annual payment out of the general fund.
Schmucker also recommended a five-year financial plan be included in the application showing exactly who will pay for what.
Reconstruction is expected to begin in August or September.
A "room sale" will be held Thursday with bidders "buying" the gym, the library space, the day care and other designated areas of the community center to provide matching funds. [[In-content Ad]]
NORTH WEBSTER - To make sure all the i's are dotted and the t's are crossed, state commerce department representatives visited with about 25 senior citizens, town council members and grant administrator Bob Murphy Monday.
The seniors want to organize a space of their own in the community center - the former North Webster Elementary school building.
North Webster Community Center Inc. took ownership of the facility Feb. 18.
Murphy wrote a grant asking for $260,000 from the Indiana Department of Commerce's Community Development Division.
Mary Beth Schmucker, an IDOC deputy director, and Ed Fansler, a north field representative, were more than half an hour late for the meeting at town hall.
They explained their tardiness by saying they were half of a four-member "scoring committee" that awards grants. They were visiting other communities applying for $12 million in available grant funds, visiting sites and making sure the applications are letter-perfect. They got a bit behind.
Schmucker said there are 89 applications before the board this year asking for $37 million. About 60 percent of the requests will be approved.
Murphy outlined funding for the community center, saying the Palace of Sports committed an initial $250,000 per year and $50,000 per year for 10 years for maintenance; the Dekko Foundation approved a $300,000 challenge grant, which requires an equal amount of matching funds; and Indiana Development Finance Authority is issuing a $200,000 low-interest loan.
Before touring the elementary school the state representatives asked several questions concerning the seniors' intentions and how they've conducted fund-raisers in the past.
Senior center space has been designated as 8,000 square feet in size, which includes a kitchen, the cafeteria and room space.
The Kosciusko Community YMCA plans to hold classes in the community center, with many geared for seniors.
Although there is no formal "club," seniors meet in churches and are members of the North Webster Kiwanis Club and the American Legion.
Dick Hinton, president of the North Webster Kiwanis Club, said there are more than 100 members who work on several projects. The local club is considered one of the top clubs in the state.
American Legion member Robert Stevens said the local organization has 2,000 members and is the biggest little Legion in the state.
"North Webster is a community that works together," said Helen Hoy. "The clubs and the churches support the food pantry."
"We take care of our own just as the Bible tells us," another woman said.
Schmucker said each organization should write a letter detailing their projects and support of the senior center for inclusion in the application.
She said she was impressed with the turnout - usually only three or four people show up at these preliminary meetings.
The deputy director also expressed her concern regarding the plans to tear down the 1911 portion of the building, calling it a shame to do so.
"Has it been reviewed by the (Department of Natural Resources) Historic Preservation Division?" she asked.
Murphy presented a letter from the DNR, saying if the federal Housing and Urban Development had no objections it could be torn down.
The 90-year-old section of the building has never been considered as housing, Murphy said, because that portion is divided into six levels and would be almost impossible to renovate.
By removing the "old" part, heating costs will go from $100,000 per year to $48,000 per year.
North Webster town council president Kay Andrews said plans are to salvage what they can of the building - the stone lintel with "North Webster" chiseled into it, for example, will be salvaged along with the bricks.
Andrews said the usable portions of the building have been earmarked.
The Lakeland Youth Center has more than 100 children and their parents using the gynmasium space six days a week.
Schmucker reiterated her concern and asked that a case be made for why this portion of building is coming down.
She said due to the space being used, the center is eligible for $415,800, with a match of $46,200, not $462,000.
She also asked how the loan would be paid, and Andrews said the town would take the $12,000 annual payment out of the general fund.
Schmucker also recommended a five-year financial plan be included in the application showing exactly who will pay for what.
Reconstruction is expected to begin in August or September.
A "room sale" will be held Thursday with bidders "buying" the gym, the library space, the day care and other designated areas of the community center to provide matching funds. [[In-content Ad]]