Like every remodeling project, the renovation of the Long Island Community Center began small and then just grew. Soon, there was a huge list of things that needed to be done, including bringing the entire building up to code.
“It started out when we were talking about how we needed another electrical outlet in the back room, in the Teen Lounge,” explains Towanda Brown, a past director of programs for the Long Island Recreation Department and a pottery teacher at the community center. “Doors needed replacing. We wanted working windows and doors.”
Soon, the estimated cost of renovations passed $600,000—a sizeable sum for an island with just 200 year-round residents. But this is Long Island, an Island that isn’t intimidated by big projects. Just a few years ago, the island raised $1 million in private funds for a new library, multi-purpose room and emergency center.
There’s no doubt the renovations are needed. When Brown began the pottery program in 1997 the studio did not even have running water. While some improvements have been made in the building since then, there are plenty that haven’t.
The community center was built in 1943 as a fire station for the U.S. Navy. Today it is home to the recreation department, which offers classes to participants of all ages, and to the Long Island Historical Society, which hosts exhibits in the summer months. But the building can only be used seasonally because the heating system is inefficient and expensive.
“Revitalization of the community center is much needed because we don’t have a place for people to go in wintertime to socialize,” explains Jim Wilber, who served as director of the recreation department for five years and is currently on the Revitalization Project Committee. With Long Island’s summertime population swelling to 1,500, demand for additional programs—and space—is strong. “There is a need from the community because of the number of children participating,” explains Brown. “Hundreds of people come through the doors and 117 kids signed up for classes last summer. There were also numerous special events and workshops for the adult populations.”
The town purchased “Lot 2,” the building now known as the community center, with grant money. The pottery studio and historical society moved in following the purchase. Since the recreation department was using the community center building so many of its programs, the Lot 2 committee dissolved, giving management of the building over to the recreation department. The recreation department inherited many problems with the building, and thus was born the community center revitalization project.
“In order for the Rec. to continue, we have to be able to provide better space, safer space,” says Brown. At the moment, only half the building is being utilized. To help with the project, the revitalization committee has been working with architect Frank Oliva, who worked with Long Island on the library expansion project, to modernize the building and rearrange spaces.
The goal of this project, according to Jim Wilber, is to provide a “teen center, area for senior citizens, a kitchen, a place where people come in to play cribbage, home to a small gallery of artwork, a place to socialize and a fun place for mothers to bring kids in year round.”
Currently the community center is home to the pottery studio and a multi-purpose room, both in need of renovations. The kitchenette is so small it hinders rentals of the large multi-purpose room. The historical society could use a bigger and safer exhibit space with climate control because right now everything must be stored in the school when not in use at the exhibit. The teen lounge is small and dark, and several other rooms also need to be remodeled.
Brown hopes that along with renovating the building, jobs will be created. “My goal is that we get to the point that the building will be revitalized to be a home for a big enough program so that our teens can be employed and stay right here on the island,” says Brown. Working in Portland is expensive for many teens, who must spend $10 of their paychecks commuting each day to and from the island during the summer months. The new community center will serve all ages and operate year-round.
The fundraising efforts are already in full swing, according to Alanna Rich, facilities director of the recreation department and secretary of the fundraising committee. The project even has its own Facebook page. “It’s been a year since we launched the project, and we’ve raised approximately $50,000 through the mailing campaign, fundraisers, grants, and pledges.”
In many respects, the new library has become a symbol for Long Island. Having the experience of fundraising for such a large-scale project in the past under their belts, the islanders are ready to tackle this project as well to better their home. Alanna Rich explains another reason this project is important: “It enhances the appearance of our down front (the strip of land across from the ferry landing) and therefore in the long run would help maintain property values,” says Rich. “It’s an investment in the future of the island and keeps young families down here if there’s a safe, fun place.”
But it also now serves as an incentive. “We raised the money for the library as a community, which gives us the backbone,” Rich says. “It’s encouraging to know that we did that million-dollar project, and we can do this again.”
More information on the project can be found at www.townoflongisland.us
Erica Papkee is a resident of Long Island and a participant in The Working Waterfront’s summer student writing program.