Syracuse May Build Community Building
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
SYRACUSE - Members of a committee seeking a community building in Syracuse did a little controlled dreaming Thursday as they developed a plan.
Ten members met for nearly two hours and drafted a wide-ranging list of proposals for the building.
The lake resort town lacks any central building for community activities, and civic leaders want to develop plans for a multi-purpose facility that would serve a broad scope of needs.
The committee, acting at the direction of the Dekko Foundation, reviewed five areas of consideration: facility and location, programs, personnel, finances and equipment.
"We're in a very nebulous area right now because we don't know who will be using the building," said Jim Gibson, who represents the Turkey Creek Township Museum.
General conclusions that were tossed around included the following:
• Location and facility - Most agreed a site across the street from Lakeside Park would be the best because of the land available, central location, available parking and access. The 4-acre property is owned by Doug and Jeanine Schrock, who have indicated a willingness to donate the land.
The building would need a main gathering room that could accommodate 200 to 300 people. Offices for agencies and service groups seeking inclusion would also be planned.
Among the agencies that might be part of the building are the park office, the Syracuse-Wawasee Chamber of Commerce, a senior center and the Turkey Creek Museum, currently housed on the upper floor of the community library.
• Programs - The facility would be the central place for community dinners and activities and would be leased out for special events, including wedding receptions and dances. A kitchen would also be included.
Susan Neff, town park director, said the facility could be tied in with increased festivals and recreational activities.
• Personnel - Committee members struggled with details about how many people would be needed to operate the building and how they would be paid. At the least, a coordinator or director would be needed. Maintenance would also be needed, but members stressed much of the support would have to come from volunteers.
• Finances - A wide range of financing options were discussed and divided into two sections - construction and operations. The committee tentatively agreed it would seek grants, a fund drive, a bond issue and support from the town and township.
Ongoing operations would lean heavily on user fees, but officials also suggested a possible annual fund drive, corporate gifts or an endownment fund.
Since many such buildings in other communities fall under the responsibility of the local park department, many people at the meeting assumed the town and township will be expected to take some type of role in the building.
• Equipment - Among the things that would be needed: audio-visual equipment, a sound system, plenty of tables and chairs, office equipment, a security system, staging and games.
Jim Mappin, representative of Dekko, said he would assemble the ideas into a coherent proposal and then focus the group on securing finances. The group will meet again at 7 a.m. July 10 at the town hall. [[In-content Ad]]
SYRACUSE - Members of a committee seeking a community building in Syracuse did a little controlled dreaming Thursday as they developed a plan.
Ten members met for nearly two hours and drafted a wide-ranging list of proposals for the building.
The lake resort town lacks any central building for community activities, and civic leaders want to develop plans for a multi-purpose facility that would serve a broad scope of needs.
The committee, acting at the direction of the Dekko Foundation, reviewed five areas of consideration: facility and location, programs, personnel, finances and equipment.
"We're in a very nebulous area right now because we don't know who will be using the building," said Jim Gibson, who represents the Turkey Creek Township Museum.
General conclusions that were tossed around included the following:
• Location and facility - Most agreed a site across the street from Lakeside Park would be the best because of the land available, central location, available parking and access. The 4-acre property is owned by Doug and Jeanine Schrock, who have indicated a willingness to donate the land.
The building would need a main gathering room that could accommodate 200 to 300 people. Offices for agencies and service groups seeking inclusion would also be planned.
Among the agencies that might be part of the building are the park office, the Syracuse-Wawasee Chamber of Commerce, a senior center and the Turkey Creek Museum, currently housed on the upper floor of the community library.
• Programs - The facility would be the central place for community dinners and activities and would be leased out for special events, including wedding receptions and dances. A kitchen would also be included.
Susan Neff, town park director, said the facility could be tied in with increased festivals and recreational activities.
• Personnel - Committee members struggled with details about how many people would be needed to operate the building and how they would be paid. At the least, a coordinator or director would be needed. Maintenance would also be needed, but members stressed much of the support would have to come from volunteers.
• Finances - A wide range of financing options were discussed and divided into two sections - construction and operations. The committee tentatively agreed it would seek grants, a fund drive, a bond issue and support from the town and township.
Ongoing operations would lean heavily on user fees, but officials also suggested a possible annual fund drive, corporate gifts or an endownment fund.
Since many such buildings in other communities fall under the responsibility of the local park department, many people at the meeting assumed the town and township will be expected to take some type of role in the building.
• Equipment - Among the things that would be needed: audio-visual equipment, a sound system, plenty of tables and chairs, office equipment, a security system, staging and games.
Jim Mappin, representative of Dekko, said he would assemble the ideas into a coherent proposal and then focus the group on securing finances. The group will meet again at 7 a.m. July 10 at the town hall. [[In-content Ad]]