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Volunteers restore community center
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It hadn’t been used for around 10 years. The roof was collapsing and the floor was crumbling. Nearly every aspect of the building needed repair.
That was the state of Newtown Community Center in October 2009 when a group of concerned citizens made a commitment to revitalize the dilapidated building.
“It was a disaster,” said Peggy Hillis, one of the volunteers who spearheaded renovations. “It’s taken us a lot of work to get to this point. We completely gutted it. Now it looks good and we’re proud of it. There are still some little things that need to be done, but we’re ready to rent it out.”
After more than two years of work, the 1,620-square-foot building is equipped with two restrooms and a working kitchen. There’s a stage with a piano, and tables and chairs throughout. It’s capable of seating about 70.
The goal, according to Newtown CIC president Morris Holt, is to have a nice facility for birthday parties, receptions, benefits or any other function where a number of people are expected.
“It got in bad shape because people let it go downhill,” said Holt. “It needed a new roof, new floor, new everything. We almost had to build it back. That center has helped a lot of people over the years. In fact, it’s where Centertown Fire Department got its start. So we wanted to get it back to where it could be used by the community.”
Such a large-scale renovation project wasn’t easy. To generate money, Newtown CIC officials decided to sell their food booth at the fair for $7,000. Coupled with some other monetary donations, that was enough to jump start renovations.
According to Holt, the Charlie Duncan family donated the land for a community center and four or five families started work on the building in 1968. It was operational by 1970.
Despite the deterioration of the building, the adjacent ballfield has continued to be used, most recently for adult softball leagues. It used to be a place for youth games too.
“I think we need to work to get the kids back here playing ball,” said Inez Burch, who was very active with Newtown CIC when it first opened.
To unveil the new and improved community center, an open house and benefit supper will be held Saturday, Dec. 17, beginning at 4 p.m. Chili, soup and sandwiches will be served and Santa will be on hand for the children. All money raised will go toward future improvements to the center.
“This is a building we want to be used,” said Hillis. “We’d like it to be reserved every day. It’s not a bar and it’s not a honky-tonk, but it can be reserved for almost anything else.”
It costs $50 to reserve the building for two hours. Each additional hour after that is $10. Call Kim Carter at 607-0770 to make a reservation. The building is now available.
As for the kitchen, it comes with a sink, running water, microwave and refrigerator. Because of insurance reasons, Holt says cooking cannot take place in the kitchen.
Newtown CIC is also looking for new members. Holt says there are currently 12 to 14 active members and he would like that number to grow.