A Welcomed Hole in the Wall

Citizens of Greenfield should have a new community center by Memorial Day.

Parks and Recreation Director Scott Jaquish made that announcement at a ceremonial wall-breaking event at the former public library, which will be renovated into the community center.

“This project will help our recreation programs for many, many years to come,” Jaquish said. “Those programs include fitness classes, enrichment classes, both youth and adult dance classes.

“When the facility is done, it will be available for community rentals to help sustain the facility moving forward.”

Jaquish said the center will be done no later than June 1 and as early as late May. He said he expected to use the facility for the spring election April 5.

The floors and ceilings through the facility will be redone, as will bathrooms and the heating, ventilation and air conditioning system.

The project , but no taxpayer dollars.

“It’s all fees, grants, donations.,” said Mayer Michael Neitzke, who put the first ceremonious hole in a wall with a gold sledge hammer. “That’s an important thing, especially in this economy. “

Added Jaquish, “This project wouldn’t be possible without great donations and support from people like the Dan Jansen Family Fest, Sendik’s and the Partners of Parks and Recreation. They contributed a lot of money to make sure it happens. Also there are 150 other individuals out there who contributed to the project to make sure this project is a go.”

Jaquish said the Parks and Recreation Department will continue fundraising to enhance the facility in upcoming years.

Richard Sokol, the city’s Director of Neighborhood Services, who also worked on the Law Enforcement Center and new library, is the project manager.