There are new digs going in at Ambrose Creek Community Park and golden shovels glistened as several Three Mile community members broke ground for the long dreamed of community meeting center. Luckily they were backed up by Randy Nentwig on his excavator.
It’s been a long time coming. The effort to build the center began about eight years ago with the formation of the Three Mile Community Senior Center. It was a daunting project for such a small community and efforts simmered for years, until last year things suddenly came to a boil.
According to Colleen Schmiedeke, secretary of the Three Mile Community Center, it was a very fortunate circumstance and could not have happened if the whole community had not gotten behind it. It may not have happened if Schmiedeke herself had not gotten behind it like she did. She’s a member of all three of the key organizations that had to come together on the project to make it happen. And even that incredible combination needed to be topped off by a generous grant from the Rapp Family Foundation before the ground could finally be broken.
Not all the money for the project has been raised yet. The estimated cost of the project is around $350,000. The effort, so far, has raised about $125,000. The 40 by 80 foot building will have a small kitchen area and restrooms and a partial basement with office space, according to Ted Brittenham, past president of the Three Mile Community-Senior Center.
Although the Three Mile Community-Senior Center will operate the building, Schmiedeke wanted to make it completely clear that there would be no building without the extreme cooperation and support between that group and the Three Mile Fire Department and the Lone Rock Park Board. The Park District has agreed to finance the remaining portion of the costs so that construction could commence as the groups continue to seek donations for the project. Schmiedeke said that residents of the district will not experience any additional taxes.
The building may be completed sometime this fall. Anyone with any questions about the project or wanting to donate can contact Colleen Schmiedeke at 777-3710.