Friends of the Community Center looking forward

DAYTON—The Friends of the Community Center’s President Vicki Zoller said their group should hear by mid-November whether, or not they will be awarded a $20,000 grant from the Wildhorse Foundation. If so there will be money enough to pay for the first phase of the pool feasibility study, she said.

She said the organization has been working with architects from Schemata Workshop in Seattle, and they have agreed the $60,000 feasibility study can be done in phases.

Zoller said in the first phase of the feasibility study the community will be asked to decide if they want just a pool, or if they want a community center, perhaps with an indoor pool, a senior center, and an early learning center.

“It doesn’t have to be a monstrosity,” she said.

So far a couple of the grant applications have been denied, but Zoller said she understands why.

“There are a lot of people competing for grants for a whole lot of worthy things,” she said. “But I feel by writing some grants we can get the ball rolling.”

Zoller said there are other ways to obtain funding, she learned about at the recent USDA sponsored funding forum in Dayton.

Zoller isn’t shy when it comes to asking people to step up and sponsor the community pool project.

Yes, people can get their name on a plaque at the new community center, she said.

Do you know of any big donors?” she asked. “We would appreciate hearing from them.”

Zoller said large donations could earn sponsors the right to have their names on parts of the new building. Smaller donations could earn sponsors the right to have their names on tiles around the pool, or on the washing machines and dryers, if those become part of the community’s vision for a community center.

Zoller said the city is supporting the group’s efforts.

“The mayor has reached out to me on several occasions,” she said. “The city is making a very concerted effort to stay in touch with what we’re doing.”

She said if the project becomes a reality, the City of Dayton will be the government entity through which any funds flow, and the planning director will help with rules and regulations.

“This is to make sure everything is on the up and up,” she said.

Zoller invites public participation at their monthly meetings.

“Come to listen. Come to listen, and ask questions,” Zoller said. “Some people may have some great ideas.”

Zoller said their organization also welcomes new members.

Dayton Middle School teacher Jeff McCann has recently joined the Friends of the Community Center, with a desire to see youth involvement in planning efforts, she said.

That’s okay with her.

“Down the road this will be their pool, their kids’ pool, and their grandkid’s pool,” she said.

The Friends of the Community Center meets on the last Tuesday of each month, at 5:30 p. m. in the Delany Room at the library.