Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
NORTH WEBSTER - Ray and Jenny Bockman were profusely thanked by the North Webster Community Center board of directors Tuesday for the Bockmans' $100,000 contribution to the facility.
The money puts the board's fund-raising efforts at $405,000. The funds are needed to match up to $500,000 available in an Indiana Department of Commerce Community Focus Fund grant for renovation of the former high school/elementary school on Ind. 13.
Bockman, owner of Rayco Steel Process Inc., was a four-year honor student and valedictorian of the North Webster High School class of 1937. During his high school years he also played on the basketball and baseball teams.
"My brothers, sister and I all attended North Webster School, as did our children," Bockman said. "My sister Martha, celebrating her 90th birthday, also taught there in the 1930s. The school holds many happy memories for all of us."
Bockman is the grandson of the original builder and owner of the town's White Front Grocery.
"Raising $350,000 was a monumental task," said Jon Sroufe, NWCC board president. "Then, one Saturday last December, I got a phone call from Ray."
At the end of a building tour, Bockman presented Sroufe with a check for $100,000.
The building will house a senior activity center, the North Webster/Tippecanoe Library, the North Webster town offices and police department as well as provide Kosciusko YMCA fitness programs. Future plans include an indoor walking track and a place to hold community events.
Lakeland Youth Center has already begun programming.
The idea to transform the former elementary school building into a community center began almost as soon as the Wawasee School Corp. announced plans in June 1999 for a new elementary school.
The North Webster Community Center Inc. was formed as a nonprofit organization, purchasing the building for $1 in February 2002.
"The latest renovation figure is $1.6 million for all the renovations and our 'wish list,'" said NWCC executive director Sandy Mafera. "Now we have to show the state how we intend to use the money and submit bid specifications."
The $500,000 CFF grant is assured. If the group falls short of the half-million mark, the total will be matched.
Thursday a public auction will be held at the community center, offering items from the former school building at 1 p.m. Preview begins at 8 a.m.
NWCC board members are: Jon Sroufe, president; Jeff Thornburg, vice president; Peg Lawrance, secretary; Jeff Morgan, treasurer; Dennis Wagoner; Gloria Shipley; Sherman Goldenberg; Dick Hinton; Larry Kinsey; Carole Gilbert; Tracy Benzinger; and Chris Bruno.
For more information contact: Jon W. Sroufe - jonw@sroufe.com, 888-894-4171; Peg Lawrance - Lawrance@kconline.com, 834-7894; or executive director Sandy Mafera - maf@kconline.com, 834-4270.
