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Corunna Community Center revival under way

By SEAN ELY, Argus-Press Staff Writer

Friday, November 20, 2009 10:04 AM EST

John Kulhanek takes ramp measurements at the new main entrance of the Corunna Community Center at McCurdy Park. Argus-Press Photo by Anthony Cepak

CORUNNA - Just weeks ago, the Corunna Community Center was on the verge of becoming just another vacant, run-down and unutilized building.

Its brief closure earlier this year jolted residents to battle to renovate and revive the building into what it was meant to be - a community center.

A Committee to Save the Casino/Community Center in McCurdy Park, co-chaired by Carol and Bus Spaniola, was formed in July and volunteering members have been hard at work designing ways to create fundraisers to raise funds to support that goal.

As part of those efforts, the Corunna City Council voted 6-0 Monday to allocate an additional $20,000 to the Community Center, mainly for needed electrical installations. The Council provided the Communty Center staff with a $50,000 advance during a September meeting. The volunteer group has already repaid part of that advance and is continuing to raise money, including a sale of a cash calendar that could add another $12,000 to the effort.

So far, wood framing for three handicap ramps and rails have been constructed. A ticket and concession window was built, as well as a front porch slated to greet entrants more effectively.

Storm sewers and drainage issues will no longer be a problem either.

“The biggest changes are the two entrances which are much safer and more inviting,” architect Jed Dingens said. “They were falling apart and water was leaking inside. That old building smell is gone too. It's very refreshed.”

In the near future, new windows and glass panels will be added to the rails. Drywall and flooring throughout the building will be finished professionally when more money rolls in. Some updated lighting has been provided, but City Manager Joe Sawyer hopes the basement's old fluorescent lighting will be replaced soon.

Mayor Charles Kerridge gave the center a deal on doors for $300 each, originally priced close to $2,000 each.

Judy Horton donated $10,000 to the Community Center's renovation funding.

“The Council has given us a mission, they want the building open in two weeks,” Sawyer said. “We don't have money to pay the contractors for everything so the more volunteers, the better. I'm down there to inspire people, leadership by example. The entryway must be open and safe very soon and that's a big challenge, but we keep a vision on the future and it'll get done.”

The city plans to hold its annual Festival of the Trees in the facility as part of the holiday celebration that also includes lighting displays at the city's historical village at the park.

Sawyer said disabled accessibility is important not just for those in wheelchairs, but for individuals with bad knees, hips and backs, people using crutches, senior citizens and parents with strollers.

“Having attractive ramps will increase the amount of people who come to the Community Center,” he said.

John Kulhanek of JP Kulhanek & Sons said he was happy to be chosen as the contractor for the Community Center. His firm worked on City Hall and the Community District Library in the past as well.

He's heard criticisms of “What are you wasting your money and time on this for?” turn into, “Holy cow.”

“It's been fun seeing people stop and peek their heads in during construction, with Joe (Sawyer) taking people on walkthroughs on tours,” he said. “They can't believe their eyes, how much more usable the building will be. They're fired up about it all.”

But handing over $70,000 from the city's budget hasn't been easy, Mayor Pro Tem Arnie Jessen said.

“I hope they get it done but since the beginning, I was one of the biggest opposers of giving them city money because of the cuts we've had to take,” he said. “But I think they're doing a great job of funding it, I really do.”

Dingens said $150,000 is needed to finish the first phase of the Community Center. About $40,000 has already been raised.

“This is a very organic, living project unlike many constructions that just sit and don't change much. This one is alive and moving everyday,” he said.

While it's unfortunate Corunna hasn't received any state or federal grants for the Community Center, Dingens said it's refreshing to know the community stepped up to fund it during such a tough economic time.

“The residents are saving this place and they'll see that and want to further involve themselves with the center's activities,” he said. “It's quite wonderful. They will be able to enjoy it for years without having to put more money into the building - a place worth millions that previously just about died.”

Down the road, Sawyer and Dingens said they hope to transform the Community Center into a full-blown banquet center.

“The city has been great at getting funds for upcoming bills,” Assessor and City Planner Merliee Lawson said. “Everyone's been awesome, from the time this place was looked at when it momentarily closed, money was raised in a short amount of time.”

Currently, the Committee is selling $25 calendars for a cash raffle. To purchase a calendar, mail a check, payable to “Friends of Corunna Historical Village” with “cash calendar” noted in the memo, to Casino/Community Center Committee, PO Box 10, Corunna, MI, 48817.

The deadline to purchase a calendar is Jan. 20, 2010. For more information, contact Carol Spaniola at 743-3292 or Janine Kingsbury at 277-8592.

“Our calendar sales will put us over our second $25,000 amount, giving us another $10,000 from the DDA,” said Carol Spaniola, treasurer of the Restoration Committee. “We're raising the money one step at a time. It's great to see support coming from the community.”

For every $25,000 the Restoration Committee raises, the Downtown Development Authority is paying $10,000. Moderan Woodmen of America also has provided funds.

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