Upper Center getting a new roof, and more

It’s been a labor of love and a long time coming with the Upper McKenzie Community Center getting a fresh start inside and out so we wanted to thank you all for your patience. The new roof is going on this week - just in time for a bit of rain, too. A beautiful new access ramp and new stairs have been poured out front. Next comes the railing which still needs to be created and installed. And just so you all don’t feel alone in the process of permitting and rebuilding, I wanted to let you know we have struggled with that process, too.

It was a last-minute realization that the designated handicapped parking area to the east of the UMCC – the one that has been there the entire time - could not be paved by us because it is- wait for it – county property and doesn’t belong to the UMCC. So even though they had approved our ramp in the back of the building they also wanted us to pave the area over the septic tank to get us to where we didn’t own.

Needless to say, that plan changed - while forcing a huge cost overrun - into doing a new ramp and stairs at the front of the building with a designated handicapped parking spot where pavement already existed. That change order was not in the budget and forced us to spend nearly all of our operating money for the upcoming year to get it done. All that is to say we know the pain of dealing with the building process. And if you can donate and help support the Upper McKenzie Community Center now is a GREAT time to do so.

Another labor of love we’ve gotten to witness is the creation and completion of the O’brien Memorial Library opening soon in Blue River. We are so happy for the board members, and the volunteers and for all of their hard work and accomplishment in creating a brand new library facility for our community. We plan to thank them for getting that accomplished every time we see them. It was a lot of work and hope they take pride in their great success. We wish them well and will miss them when they go.

Stop by our booth at the McKenzie Track during the Holiday Farm Fire Commemorative Event for some Ice Cream and show your support for the UMCC.