| The WCC, in its
first phase, is a $1.8 million renovation of the former Mr.
G's shopping center on Malletts Bay Ave., which broke ground
on November 13 of this year. Plans call for a satellite
facility of the Greater Burlington YMCA that will provide
affordable indoor recreation, fitness and exercise classes,
and workout space available to all regardless of income. There will be a half-basketball court and a small therapy
pool. Some of the other partners are Winooski Parks &
Recreation, Fletcher Allen Health Care Community Outreach,
and the Vermont Refugee Resettlement Program.
One key feature, in particular,
of the new center that Winooski Wednesdays relates to is the
community kitchen. Located in close proximity to an airy,
welcoming atrium, this commercial-grade kitchen will enable
cooking classes, community potluck dinners, and other
food-related functions. So, everyone who partakes of the
great cuisine on Winooski Wednesdays will be helping to
ensure the culinary success of the new community center.
Fundraising for this
ambitious, visionary project got a big boost from the
Richard E. and Deborah L. Tarrant Foundation. Their $1
million gift was sufficient for construction to begin.
The Pomerleau Family sold the underutilized Grand Union
shopping Center at a significantly reduced price as a
donation, and numerous foundations and private individuals
continue to make large and small donations. Winooski
Wednesdays shows that new, local sources of financial
support are also forthcoming. Working on this and other
initiatives for the Community Center Capital Campaign, such
as an on-site event in February, are Sr. Pat McKittrick
(847-6534), Morgan Kelner (655-4184) and John Ames
(324-0576). For more information about the community
center project contact J. Ladd, Community Development
Department Director at 655-6410 x20. |
