Brockport lends support to Sweden Community Center

Brockport will be lending its financial support to make the dream of a community center in the town of Sweden a reality.

Mayor Josephine Matela announced at the February 18 village board meeting that the board fully supports the recreation center. "We already contribute to the rec center as taxpayers," she said. "Our share will come out of what our taxpayers are paying now."

Sweden officials had asked for a $10,000 commitment from the towns of Clarkson and Hamlin and the Village of Brockport, in addition to the $10,000 Sweden would be kicking in. The funds would go toward the running of the 30,000 square foot community center. Sweden Supervisor Nat O. "Buddy" Lester III said the fees assessed to users of the center would help offset further operating costs.

The site of the former Golden Heights Christian Center church building was donated to the town of Sweden with the stipulation the building be converted to a center that offered a wide range of recreation activities to residents and their families. The benefactor has chosen to remain anonymous.

Matela said she recently met with Lester and representatives of the benefactor. "I felt that as elected officials we needed to be confident before we put our reputation on the line for this project," she said. "I feel confident the benefactor’s intentions are genuine and generous."

There are still some unanswered questions, Matela said. "Because public money is going to be used, the building has to be in compliance with the codes," she said. "We also have to know what type of fire system the building has because our fire fighters will be responsible for the protection there."

Prior to Matela’s report, resident and former mayor Jim Stull had urged Brockport officials to support the community center.

"A one-year trial basis is nothing," he said. "If after one year it isn’t working out, you can at least say you tried."

Stull said the community center would be a place for youth as well as adults to gather. "The adults of today are more active than they were in the past."

The 30,000 square foot building is anticipated to take the place of the indoor facilities the municipalities had utilized for joint recreation projects.

A basketball court was constructed complete with new flooring, hoops, lighting and press booth.

A grand opening is scheduled for March 10.