HUBBARD — The Hubbard Youth Coalition is raising funds to transform the former Roosevelt Elementary School into a community and student wellness center for people of all ages.

The planned project, with a price tag that could reach an estimated $260,000, would be done in phases with the coalition already raising more than $50,000. Plans call for a major gala fundraiser next February to provide the money needed for the first two phases of the project. Coalition members expect the gala to raise $30,000 to $35,000.

The first phase will cost around $64,000, HYC members said.

Jim Chaney, president of the coalition, said talks have been ongoing for 18 months, including receiving approval from the Hubbard Board of Education and school administration to proceed with plans for remodeling and renovating the former school.

He said plans are to make the building into a community center for youth sports teams and the public.

When the building is ready for use, from the 1st to 20th of each month the school sports teams and academic groups will have priority access to the building.

“They will be first to schedule what they need for the upcoming month,” he said.

From the 21st to 25th of the month, youth sports will schedule dates, and then from the 25 to end of the month community groups can schedule activities on any open dates. Chaney said senior citizens would be able to use the building when students are in school.

“This will really impact the community,” he said.

Chaney said a small board made up of representatives from various youth sports and community members will work in conjunction with the school district athletic department to oversee the center.

“We want this dream to become a reality,” he said.

ORIGINAL DESIGN

Plans are to retain the original design of the historic building with its pictures on the wall.

“There was a lot of nostalgia with the school. My son’s class was one of the last to go through the school,” Chaney said.

The original part of the school is from the 1920s and additions were made in the 1930s.

Kim Chaney, treasurer of the coalition, said it has received community support from the schools and parents. She said a young girl helped by selling doughnuts at her home and made a donation of the proceeds.

“Everyone of all ages have been supportive of the Roosevelt project. The community is excited about this,” Kim Chaney said.

Roosevelt school was last used as a kindergarten-to-fourth-grade building in the 2011-12 school year before a new school was constructed near the high school.

Jim Chaney said the first phase of the project involves the turning balconies into platforms for batting cages, adding turf to indoor areas for multiple sports and creating a parent viewing area room. The second phase is creating a multifunctional training area with free weights on the first floor. The third phase will make a multipurpose room on the second floor and phase four will create the building’s lobby area.

He said the goal is to get the first two phases completed in spring 2023 and, based on fundraising, move on to the next phases to finish the project by 2024.

“It will be an ongoing project. The building will continue to be in use even while work is being completed,” he said.

Jay Crafton, a Hubbard resident with BSHM Architects, which specializes in designing athletic, sports and school facilities, is donating 100 percent of the costs for the architectural drawings to help out, Jim Chaney said.

“This will be a multipurpose facility for not just sports but also robotics and other organizations and groups from the school and community. Some of the rooms will be able to be used for meetings by clubs,” Kim Chaney said.

Kelli Komlanc, secretary for the coalition and a Hubbard teacher, said many families helping have young children who will benefit from the center.

“We are very excited about what is planned,” she said.

The three- to five-member management board would be in charge of staffing and cleaning the building.

SCHOOL HISTORY

Roosevelt Elementary has been a part of Hubbard history since 1920.

Hubbard Board of Education President Don Newell said its new purpose “is a great idea and a great venture. The board supports this 100 percent.”

He said the community will benefit from having a community center. “I am all for what they have planned,” Newell said.

Superintendent Raymond Soloman said he appreciates all the work and time that the HYC has put into the project.

“This facility will benefit so many people in the community and schools. The HYC has worked to achieve a goal for the students of the community,” Soloman said.

The fundraiser gala is planned for Feb. 11 at the Avalon Inn and Resort in Howland.

Kim Chaney said gala tickets will go on sale later this year before Christmas.

“This is about giving back to your community and making the community a better place. We love our Hubbard community and this center will be one way to give back,” she said.

The HYC was founded in 2020 and is focused on providing advantages to young people so they are able to be competitive in academic achievement, health and physical development, and have community support during times of hardship or crisis.

Donations can be sent to hubbardyouth.org or hubbardyouth@gmail.com or 330-518-6185.

bcoupland@tribtoday.com