KDSN Radio

Wellness Center June Deadline Begins

The planning and fundraising portion of the Wellness Center has reached new heights. The 18-and-a-half-million-dollar project is slated for construction early next year if funds can be secured. Wellness Center Chairman Tim Stuart said the project is now 61% funded. There are now significant short-term goals that need to be met if the project is to continue as scheduled. “We need to get to 65% funded by the end of June in order to make our next grant proposal to the state that could mean upwards of a million dollars to the project.” Long-term goals would be closing the total gap to get the project funded. A federal program that could aid in this long-term goal is called New Market Tax Credits. Within that program, there are potentially millions of dollars that could be used towards the project. “We still have to raise additional funds through the summer to get to our final goal of taking this project out to bid as we get into the winter season.” The 4% gap is likely hundreds of thousands of dollars, so community support and private donations are needed to reach the end of June deadline. “What I would ask is that anybody that’s out there that has considered making a pledge to the project, we really need those people to step forward here in the next thirty days in order to help us close this gap that we have today.” Pledge forms can be found at Denison City Hall. After being filled out they can be returned to City Hall. If funds and construction timelines permit, the facility is expected to open in late 2025. Pledges are needed for the full three years until then. Stuart said cash donations are accepted as forms of donation, but there are other ways people can donate, including grain and stock contributions. A donation form will be included in the June DMU mailer, which can be filled out and returned to City Hall. 

(Photo Courtesy of the Crawford County Recreation & Wellness Committee Facebook Page)