Lakeville residents will soon be able to enjoy year-round events in the new community center and eco-education facility if a crowdfunding campaign reaches its fundraising goal of $15,000 by June 23rd. The CreatINg Places’ campaign for the project is led by the Town of Lakeville and sponsored by the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority (IHCDA).
If the campaign reaches its goal, the Lakeville Community Center and Wetland Barn project will receive a matching grant of $15,000 from IHCDA’s CreatINg Places program.
“The home to many local events and meetings, the Lakeville Community Center and Wetland Barn is an important facility for both residents and visitors,” said Indiana Lt. Governor Suzanne Crouch,who serves as board chair of IHCDA. “We are pleased to partner with the Town of Lakeville to help make additional improvements to the barn.”
The funds raised will be used to improve the existing structure, provide climate control for year-round use and build an addition. The goal is to keep the character of the existing barn but meet the increasing demands for community gatherings, public meetings, and events.
“By renovating the barn we will be able to accommodate future educational and entertainment programs for residents and visitors alike,” says Carol McDougal, Lakeville ReDevelopment Director.
Denny Heckaman, Lakeville Economic Development Director said “These improvements will promote and draw people to the Town of Lakeville. Children spending time outdoors helps their education and brings focus on the environment in nature’s classroom.”
Purchased in 2016, the vintage barn sits on approximately 7 acres of wetlands in the heart of Lakeville’s downtown district.
They have made several updates including adding electricity and clearing out invasive scrub trees and bushes.
The team would now like to insulate the current structure, put on a new roof and add a small addition that would give them restrooms and a small warming kitchen.
Future plans intend to wrap the current structure in a similar siding to keep that vintage feel. They definitely want to keep as much of the current interior as possible because the wood has weathered to a gorgeous patina.
The intension to use this property as the Lakeville Community and Wetland Eco Education Center.
Many of the events Lakeville currently offer could be improved by holding them in a climate controlled area with kitchen and bathroom facilities. Those include:
- Summer Saturday’s – Art in the Park
- Back to School Party in the Park with free food, free haircuts and free fun
- Fall Festival with Free Music, Free Art, Food & Vendor Sales
- Winter Party in the Park with free sledding, ice skating, bonfire, snow play and food
The updated Lakeville Community Center-Wetland Barn will also come in handy to host several of the seminars and conferences that they hold as a municipality.
The CreatINg Places program began in 2016, projects have raised in excess of $1,980,000 in public funds and an additional $1,693,000 in matching IHCDA funds.
The CreatINg Places program is available to projects located in Indiana communities. Non-profit entities (with 501c3 or 501c4 status) and Local Units of Government are eligible to apply.
Eligible projects must have a minimum total development cost of $10,000, where the recipient will receive $5,000 in IHCDA matching funds should they successfully raise $5,000 through Patronicity. IHCDA will provide matching grant funds up to $50,000 per project.
Click here for Lakeville project details and to donate.
