Community center plans in Campbell gain steam

By jeanne starmack

starmack@vindy.com

campbell

A committee that’s raising money to buy a building for a community center has had one fundraiser and plans another in September.

Campbell Councilman Bryan Tedesco, who proposed buying the old Faith Temple Baptist Church building on Roosevelt Boulevard, said the committee raised $4,800 at a reverse raffle dinner at St. John Church in February.

Approximately $3,000 of that money went toward attorney fees so the group, called the Senior Citizen Benefactor Committee, could become a nonprofit charitable organization, Tedesco said.

The city has also applied for a $25,000 grant to buy the building. The city had planned to spend $50,000, but, Tedesco said, the building’s owner has agreed to lower the price as a donation.

If the grant comes through, Tedesco said, money the committee raises will go toward other expenses.

Juanita Kolmacic, co-chairwoman of the committee, said the next fundraiser will likely be a golf scramble in September at the Bedford Trails course in Coitsville.

She said the committee also toured the building three weeks ago.

“It’s in better shape than I thought it would be,” she said. “It has potential.”

Tedesco has said he envisions a center that offers meals for senior citizens, services for disabled people and after-school and other youth activities.

Kolmacic said that anyone who would like to join the committee can call the city building at 330-755-1451 and leave a message there for her.