Warp speed progress at the Community Center—that’s both an aspiration, and to some extent, playing out in real time.  Acquiring materials now rather than later mitigates inflationary pressures somewhat.  The Community Center is also rented for events, and accomplishing major work in advance of those dates is an objective.  

Clark Lake has expressed a strong desire to save the Community Center.  One hundred donors have said so.  Contributions range from $20 to $10,000, in addition to a $50,000 matching grant from the Michael Ibold Wilger Foundation.  Donors, coupled with the energetic team of volunteers, ensure this gentle Victorian lady will be restored.  It means Clark Lake’s past will be preserved, and the community has a place for events.  This successful litmus test illustrates how much Clark Lake cares about the community and its culture.   

What are some recent specifics that should be noted?  Mike McKay, a Foundation director and member of the Leadership Group, is managing the contractors and supply logistics.  He also has rolled up his sleeves in other ways. Mike recently spent the day washing the windows in the attic—no small thing considering a razor blade was necessary to scrape the years of bat poop etched onto them.  He transported the shutters to his garage and personally cleaned them so they are ready to be painted.     

Mike is not alone.  Yesterday, three others from the Leadership Group took advantage of a half-full dumpster.  Going through the closets, they made decisions on what to keep or discard.  Then there was this.  A 125-year old house has its hiding places.  No one had noticed it until yesterday.  A walled-off section under the stairway to the attic was stuffed full of everything from old computers to events items.  The keepers were moved to the (bat-free) attic, and the rest helped fill the dumpster.  The attic is already serving its purpose as storage for lake organizations—the Garden Angels, Raft-O-Rama, Crab Races, and Foundation.  On hand yesterday were Mike, Flip Reynolds, Ann Swain, and Rick Belcher. 

Much has been said about the attic because it was the starting point.  The ongoing plan is to begin at the top and move down.  Until restored, the attic was a definite no-go zone as it had become a home to critters, mainly bats.  As you can see, that situation has been corrected. The attic is now divided into two sections—the large storage areas and a room for filing historical documents.  

  • Room for historical documents
  • Original door used for file room

 

More on the attic by clicking here. 

Meanwhile, work continued outside, as you can see in this slideshow. 

  • Terry Leudecking & Mike McKay discuss colors

 

The Clark Lake Community Center Leadership Group—Jaimie Thomson (events), Mike McKay (restoration), Ann Swain (treasurer), Mick Thorrez (development), Meredythe Hill VanDusen (rentals), Flip Reynolds (house). Not pictured, Josie Hones (secretary), Rick Belcher (manager). 

 

The Community Center is owned and operated by the Clark Lake Spirit Foundation for the benefit of Clark Lake. 

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