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Home About Us B2B Club Breaking News Contact Donate Events / Programs Feedback Ideas Incubator Industry Clusters Links / Resources Progess Funds Progress Teams Public Art / Murals Publications		Breaking News September 30, 2004 By Antoinette Rahn, Daily Tribune Staff Organizers are working to create a place for people to meet and families to celebrate significant moments like weddings and anniversaries. "The Nekoosa Area Community Center will be something for the entire area to use," said Gerald Cordes, project administrator. "It will be a place where people can come for business and activities." More people are aware of the project after fund-raising efforts increased with a recent mailing. The brochure, complete with cost information as well as interior and exterior images and plans, was sent to everyone in the Port Edwards and Nekoosa area. The timeline for the project is dictated by fund-raising efforts, since it will be completed without taxpayer dollars, organizers said. For more information To find out more about the Nekoosa Area Community Center, call Gerald Cordes, project administrator, at 886-4470. "We want to have all the money raised or committed to before we begin construction," Cordes said. "In addition to the mass mailing to area residents, we're soliciting grants and major donors. "And as much as possible, we want to work with local contractors and suppliers." It's a project that meets a communitywide need: available space for organizations, said Dan Schmidt, member of the Nekoosa Lions Club. Through a raffle fund-raiser and bingo nights, the Nekoosa Lions Club donated $8,000 to the project. "The Nekoosa Lions wholeheartedly support this project," Schmidt said. "Right now, (Lions club members) meet in the basement of Sacred Heart church. We know if we can get this center built, we won't be the only organization reserving space to meet there." The project involves building a center on city-owned land on Crestview Lane at a cost of $1.25 million for construction and furnishings. The building will feature a kitchen, a small meeting room that can accommodate 15 people, a conference room that can hold 40 to 50 people, and a main hall with room for 400. A wall of honor recognizing donors and memorials will be displayed at the center upon its completion. The center will be a nonprofit facility with operating costs covered by user fees. A board of directors will oversee center operations, and that group will be a sub-committee of the city's park and recreation committee. The board of directors include: Larry Krubsack, John Ritchay, Terry Schertz, Robb Sigler, Pete Steinhafel, Patty Tarras and John Thompson. Cordes is serving as project administrator. A group of about 20 local residents also are on working on the project as members of public relations, building and fund-raising committees. The support of the Nekoosa Common Council and the mayor, who proposed the idea for a community center, are giving this project a great start, Thompson said. "We have a very progressive mayor and council," Thompson said. "This building has the ability to serve as a catalyst for future growth in this community." You can reach Antoinette Rahn at 422-6726 or arahn@wisconsinrapidstribune.com
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