The Gresham Community Club has come to a crossroads in their mission to improve the community of Gresham. We want to make you aware of three topics of concern - the future of the Gresham Community Club, the operation of the Gresham Community Center and the future of the 1916 Gresham school building.
COMMUNITY CENTER & THE GRESHAM COMMUNITY CLUB
The Centennial School district deeded over the property to the Gresham Community Club where the current Community Center is located in the early 90’s (approximately 1994). The Gresham Community Club has taken on the responsibility of maintaining this property for nearly 30 years. We have installed new furnaces and air conditioners, repaired the roof, painted the entire building, replaced some flooring, purchased new tables and chairs, installed a windbreak on the south doors and many other smaller projects. Each year we pay for the insurance on the Community Center as well as the gym and the 1916 school building. We pay for heating, air conditioning and electricity costs as well as outdoor maintenance. Last year our annual expenses were approximately $24,358, which included $9,250 for exterior painting. Last year we had income of approximately $16,359. We have had to dig into monies that had been saved for the demolition of the 1916 building. The Community Club uses fund raisers, memberships and donations to support their efforts and to provide a place for senior citizens, youth groups and other community organizations and individuals to meet and conduct their activities.
The current building that houses the Community Center has been a blessing to the Gresham Community – a perfect place to hold the Alumni Banquet, the annual Pancake Breakfast after the Memorial Day service, Breakfast with Santa, Wednesday morning Senior coffee, family reunions, wedding receptions, funeral lunches and meeting space for 4-H and ball clubs, and other organizations. For several years, the Village has paid rent for the space of the Community Library.
We appreciate the generosity of our Community Club members and other donors. But our membership is aging and numbers declining, and it is time to think about what we CAN do to maintain our community gathering spot, rather than what we cannot do.
THE 1916 SCHOOL
When the Gresham school closed in 1986, the Centennial school district donated the 1916 school building and the gymnasium, along with two residences to the Gresham Community Club. Some funds received from the original District 54 have been retained to be used if it ever became necessary to demolish the building. Since that time members of the organization and community have spent countless hours and many dollars in an effort to maintain the buildings. During this time the Community Club has also sought out alternatives for the use of the 1916 school building.
For several years the Community Club hosted Junior High tournaments in the gymnasium. It was also used for auctions and community exercise activities. After several years the use of the building declined but the maintenance cost of the building continued.
The old school was used as a museum when the town held their Centennial celebration in 1987. The club spent money to put a secure roof on the building back in the 90’s with an estimated 10-year life. In the early 2000’s metal was placed over the windows as a way to preserve the building after several windows were broken out by vandals. Vandals have continued to break into the building as well as animals finding ways to get into the building.
In the past, we were contacted by an entrepreneur, who thought about ways to repurpose the building into a community space, such as a theatre or meeting rooms, but that fell through. We have talked to contractors to see if there was a possibility to turn the building into apartments. Because of the extreme cost to renovate the building and the low possibility in Gresham of getting a return on the investment, that was not a viable alternative. We have talked to salvage people about trying to save some of the wood, etc. on the interior but have not found anyone interested. Selling the property to a private individual does not seem to be an option as the Club does not want the building to end up looking like other old schools in the surrounding area where individuals have failed to maintain the buildings which have turned them into an eye sore for their communities.
Money was spent to complete an asbestos inspection of the building. That inspection could prove useful if we found another use for the building or if it needed to be demolished. We recently had an asbestos inspection of the roof completed and we will be gathering bids for asbestos removal which would need to be completed before demolition of the building.
So now it is time to look to the future. The Community Club does not want the building to become a nuisance property that violates the Village Code of Ordinances. We are currently in conversation with the Village of Gresham to see if the Village would assume the ownership of all the property and buildings and cost of maintenance. The Village, however, is concerned about the cost of the demolition of the old 1916 building and the burden the cost of demolition would place on the taxpayers in the village. Our research shows, however, that nearly all of the surrounding towns own and maintain their community centers and we would like the Village to take on that responsibility.
The Community Club has been the recipient of a generous $25,000 donation to demolish the building. And, if we can raise $25,000 more, we would be eligible for an additional $25,000 donation. With the money that has been saved together with these donations, we would be close to raising the $130,000 that it will take to remove the asbestos, demolish the building, cover the hole, and complete some landscaping. We had an estimate in 2004 of $60,000 for demolishing the building, so the price has risen dramatically and as each year passes, the cost will continue to rise.
We are hopeful that if we can demolish the 1916 building that the Village of Gresham would then assume ownership of the property and begin maintaining the Community Center and surrounding grounds. This would ease the pressure on the Community Club, and we would be able to continue our mission of helping the youth and seniors in our community.
This is a concern that we have had for many years, and it is finally time that we address the situation rather than kick the can down the road.
We currently have raised over $13,365 toward our match. We need to raise another $11,635 before December 1st to get the full $25,000 match. Will you help us? Tax deductible donations can be sent to the Gresham Community Club, PO Box 161, Gresham NE 68367, or left at York State Bank.
We appreciate your support as we work together for progress in our community.
Sincerely, the Gresham Community Club Board of Directors.
The Gresham Community Club is a public charity under Section 501(c)(3) of the IRS Code. 501 (c) (3) nonprofits are a specific class of nonprofit organizations recognized by the IRS, including most charitable organizations and churches. Donations to 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organizations are tax-deductible. Individuals can deduct up to 100% of their income in qualified donations.
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