The Clark Lake Community Center plans to build a pavilion immediately adjacent to the west side of their building in the County Park. The Community Center relies on income from rentals to maintain the historic building. With the expanded space, they hope to garner more money from event rentals. The plans call for a 40 x 42 foot structure, similar to the footprint of the house. The interior height would be 10 feet, with a roof peek at 20 feet. The space would allow for outdoor wedding receptions, bridal showers, life celebrations, graduation parties, and other events like it. It would be a place for ceremonies, food to be served and bands to set up. John Deming, treasurer, says an effort will be made to replicate on the new structure some of the architectural elements of the house such as the siding and some other embellishments.
Cost of the new pavilion is estimated to be $130,000. A private donor has indicated a willingness to fund $100,000 of that amount and would have naming or dedication rights. The remaining $30,000 would come from Jackson County Parks.
An agreement with the County has not yet been reached. But discussion so far involves the County taking ownership of both the new pavilion and the Community Center building itself. The County would be responsible for maintaining the pavilion. The Community Center board would continue to have control over rentals, and use that revenue to pay for repairs to the house.
Groundbreaking is not expected soon as details remain to be worked out. Among them would be a 100-year agreement with the County, design and construction issues with the proposed builder, and various permits that may be required. John Deming comments, “In an effort to solidify our ability to operate the Community Center, we’re attempting to enter into an agreement that sets the stage for many years to come. As it is, we don’t own the property where the building is located. This arrangement would eliminate the annual fee we pay the County and reduce our operating expenses by about 50%.”
The Community Center, a non-profit, is undertaking this project. The Clark Lake Community Center is separate from the Clark Lake Spirit Foundation, which publishes this website and operates for the benefit of other lake organizations.
This news is so exciting! What a great idea and a wonderful amenity to the Clark Lake Community Center. Congratulations to all those involved in making this happen.
Pavilion: NO. Assuming a pavilion can be constructed for $130,000 which I very much doubt (see later comment), does anyone think it will generate $13,000-$18,000+ annually in revenues which is what any reasonable business person would consider when making an investment. It does not appear the projected costs consider possible required bathroom(s), parking requirements, lighting requirements and who knows what else. In addition, the existing Community Center is in dire need of maintenance, repair and improvement. Why not spend/invest the funds to enhance what has been and in a great addition to the community.
County Ownership: NO. This was a community project and should be sustained as such. Get a 99 year lease from the County and remain in control. Projecting the future is problematic, but I really doubt the Center would be better maintained and administered if in public hands. NO
Thank you Mr. Harris. The community meeting I attended the general conscientious of the CL attendees was to keep the CL County Park in a ‘passive/primitive’ status as to not to creative another Columbia Township Park Environment. That is to say they wanted minimal improvements and enhancements as to not to encourage the Park as a ‘destination location’ for others. To construct such a pavilion with the idea of it being a revenue generator from entertainment venues on government leased property being supplemented by taxpayer funding brings many questions especially when nearby property owners were denied variances for such entertainment venues. In addition, building such a structure would require zoning variances that I believe adjoining residents would not appreciate as well as incidental improvements such as but not limited to expanded parking lots, restrooms and related security equipment.