Council urges community center board to succeed
CONNELLSVILLE — The Greater Connellsville Area Community Center board was put on notice Wednesday by the City Council that it must continue to secure tenants to ensure the viability of the facility.
Center board members attended the public meeting to learn of its fate after being advised at its February meeting by Councilman Greg Ritch that its continued leadership over the facility’s day-to-day operation was in jeopardy.
Ritch is the director of public buildings and parks.
While it was speculated City Council was likely to end its relationship with the board, instead the officials reiterated the commitment to the facility and its tenants.
In 1983, the center board received nonprofit status and entered into a 20-year lease with the city to manage and maintain the city-owned building. A five-year lease signed in 2003 expired and since, the two entities have been operating under a month-to-month agreement.
Mayor Charles Matthews said that the expenditure of nearly $200,000 to install a heating system in the building should be perceived that the city does want the center to be operational.
“We do not want the community center to become the Aaron’s building,” said Matthews of the antiquated structure slated for demolition.
Center board member said that the members are also dedicated to the continued operation.
“It has always been and continues to be a priority of the community center board to provide for and maintain a facility for the benefit of those who use and enjoy this proud building,” she said. “The tenants that we have had the pleasure of working with in the past and those who are committed to remaining within the center have worked with the board in a positive and professional manner in line with our mission.
“Community residents are able to access and enjoy daily hot meals, food boxes, classes, emergency services, warm coats, daycare, athletic tournaments, miniature railroad displays, school plays, concerts and much more.”
While at one time the three-story building was filled with a variety of tenants, today only 14 of the 37 available rooms are leased.
Wagner tied the loss of tenants to several reasons, including a slow economy, lack of social service, private and community funding, in addition to some smaller businesses outgrowing the facility.
Councilman Tom Karpiak said that the operation must be independently successful.
“This is purely business, because it is going to come back to us if it doesn’t succeed,” he said.
Councilwoman Marilyn Weaver said that it is vital the recently renovated theater be utilized for community activities.
“You can not make it cost prohibitive,” she said, adding that there is interest by individuals to show movies and provide other entertainment opportunities for the residents. “I want to see that theater used.”
Ritch, meanwhile, said that he plans to attend the Tuesday meeting of the center board to further discuss its long-term goals and how they will be achieved.
“Council is working together to better serve the residents,” he said. “I believe in accentuating the positive and eliminating the negative.