Syracuse Officials Host Open House For Information On Community Center
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
SYRACUSE -ÊSyracuse's Community Center is moving along.
Wednesday, the park department and board held an open house at the town hall to give the community an informal presentation on how the center is progressing.
Michael Hixenbaugh, Syracuse park superintendent, said, "The benefits of a community center are individual, community and economical."
Individually, residents can improve their health and wellness and have alternatives to destructive behavior, Hixenbaugh said. For the community, the center will reduce alienation, enhance community spirit, encourage family togetherness, promote cultural diversity and heritage and possibly reduce crime.
Economically, Hixenbaugh said, a center will attract businesses, promote a healthy and active work force, attract tourism and enhance property values.
As for finances for the project, he said, they have $760,000, more than half of what they need. That does not include a funding bond issue, which may not be needed if fund-raising goes well, nor does it count the value of the land donated.
Harry Appenzeller, Syracuse-Wawasee Historical Museum, gave a short presentation on the museum and what they hope to have in the center. He said the museum was created in 1987 to preserve Syracuse's heritage and history.
"We are not supported by any tax groups or grants," he said. However, once a year they do receive money from the Harkless Foundation. Most of their money comes from memberships, donations and their own fund-raisers.
He said they need more space because there are many artifacts in the warehouse. "We have a really great collection of arrowheads," he said. "Possibly the best in the state."
He said the library asked them about two years ago to vacate the space they currently occupy in the library, but they had no place to go and limited funds.
Michael Kubacki, of Lake City Bank, briefly spoke about how residents can donate securities to the center and take a charitable deduction off their taxes.
"If you're interested in the community center, any donations will be accepted but the best thing is to tell your friends and neighbors," he said.
Wawasee Kiwanis President Scott Abbs said the Kiwanians are supportive of the community center and plan a brick paving project to help raise funds for the center. For a donation, a person, organization or business can have their name engraved on a brick.
"It's another way of getting the community involved," Abbs said. More information will be provided in the coming weeks.
Hixenbaugh reported they picked up a Community Focus Funds grant for $450,000 this week for a senior center for the community center.
"This is a huge milestone for us," he said.
The grant is one of only 34 in the state. [[In-content Ad]]
SYRACUSE -ÊSyracuse's Community Center is moving along.
Wednesday, the park department and board held an open house at the town hall to give the community an informal presentation on how the center is progressing.
Michael Hixenbaugh, Syracuse park superintendent, said, "The benefits of a community center are individual, community and economical."
Individually, residents can improve their health and wellness and have alternatives to destructive behavior, Hixenbaugh said. For the community, the center will reduce alienation, enhance community spirit, encourage family togetherness, promote cultural diversity and heritage and possibly reduce crime.
Economically, Hixenbaugh said, a center will attract businesses, promote a healthy and active work force, attract tourism and enhance property values.
As for finances for the project, he said, they have $760,000, more than half of what they need. That does not include a funding bond issue, which may not be needed if fund-raising goes well, nor does it count the value of the land donated.
Harry Appenzeller, Syracuse-Wawasee Historical Museum, gave a short presentation on the museum and what they hope to have in the center. He said the museum was created in 1987 to preserve Syracuse's heritage and history.
"We are not supported by any tax groups or grants," he said. However, once a year they do receive money from the Harkless Foundation. Most of their money comes from memberships, donations and their own fund-raisers.
He said they need more space because there are many artifacts in the warehouse. "We have a really great collection of arrowheads," he said. "Possibly the best in the state."
He said the library asked them about two years ago to vacate the space they currently occupy in the library, but they had no place to go and limited funds.
Michael Kubacki, of Lake City Bank, briefly spoke about how residents can donate securities to the center and take a charitable deduction off their taxes.
"If you're interested in the community center, any donations will be accepted but the best thing is to tell your friends and neighbors," he said.
Wawasee Kiwanis President Scott Abbs said the Kiwanians are supportive of the community center and plan a brick paving project to help raise funds for the center. For a donation, a person, organization or business can have their name engraved on a brick.
"It's another way of getting the community involved," Abbs said. More information will be provided in the coming weeks.
Hixenbaugh reported they picked up a Community Focus Funds grant for $450,000 this week for a senior center for the community center.
"This is a huge milestone for us," he said.
The grant is one of only 34 in the state. [[In-content Ad]]