Supporters of a project that would expand the Haines Senior Center with an addition to the building for Chilkat Valley Preschool say they’re about halfway to the project’s anticipated $400,000 cost.
A free picnic and May Pole celebration from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday in Tlingit Park is aimed at familiarizing residents with the project. “We encourage people to come out , to be on the property and ask questions about the project,” said Sara Chapell, a member of the project’s steering committee.
Chapell said organizers have raised $190,000, about $10,000 shy of the amount they’d like to have in hand before approaching Alaska’s Rasmuson Foundation for a $150,000 grant. The Haines Borough, which owns the Senior Center and adjoining property planned for the new school, this week agreed to make the request.
Organizers are hoping to submit a letter to Rasmuson about the project in mid-June. “Rasmuson considers that letter. If they like it, they invite us to make a full application,” Chapell said.
The group has raised $40,000 in pledges in the last few weeks, Chapell said, and a local engineer is working on plans that will nail down the project’s final cost.
The 1,330-square-foot addition will be attached to the building’s south side and include bathrooms, a small office and a student “time-out” space. Students will access the building from a First Avenue entrance. Configuration of parking and a drop-off area haven’t been finalized, Chapell said.
A grant from Rasmuson would bring project funding to about $350,000, but won’t likely complete the project, which will seek additional support, including in-kind donations. “Rasmuson isn’t the only funder we’re approaching for grants,” Chapell said.
Chapell said the project has seen an upwelling of community support. “Individuals, businesses and organizations are all stepping forward to say ‘I want to be part of this,’” Chapell said.
If everything goes right, groundbreaking could start as early as the fall, she said. “Then we could start (construction) anytime next spring, but a lot has to come together for that to happen.”
Saturday’s picnic will include hot dogs, kettle corn, face-painting and music, she said.