New Meadows Youth Center Grand Opening
On Saturday, September 13th, the Mayor of New Meadows, Julie Good and City Council Member, Traci Foster were joined by Hunter Brown, the Public Works employee assigned to the project, to cut the ribbon and open the New Meadows Youth Center. This building will be a multipurpose building being used as a daycare, preschool, and designated space for events and programs for youth of the community. The public in attendance were invited to tour the new building and see all the work that has gone into bringing the vision to life.
Just inside the new building is a poster showing where the building began and the changes that have happened to the old Recycle Center over this past year. Also on that poster was a poem that Joseph and Kimberly Dalrymple of Dalrymple Construction Services wrote, a poem that presents this transformation from the building’s perspective, if it could talk. Contractors who worked on the project were invited to sign the poster.
In the vestibule, bright colored ceiling tiles allow light to stream down and into the hallway where blown glass lighting offers art and inspiration to the minds of all the children that will visit the facility. All the rooms were built with safety in mind and feature key card access and security features to ensure the children are safe.
Mayor Julie Good spoke to those in attendance stating “The vision was to create a place where youth activities could take place, and the families of our community could be positively impacted”. She noted, “I have always known that this project would only happen if there were people who caught the vision of the transformation of a pole barn into a beautiful building that would impact the youth and children of our community for generations to come.”
Mayor Good went on to thank the New Meadows City Council for approving the project, GHM Architects for catching the vision, Dalrymple Construction Services for enduring and persevering through the many challenges, and every contractor, supplier, and donor for giving deep discounts and donations. “Our children’s children and grandchildren’s children will benefit from the sacrifices you made and the generosity you have extended.”
Mayor Good also stated that the City will continue to fundraise to finish the building and cover the extra unexpected costs, but shared with everyone “this is a testimony to the great things that can be accomplished when a community comes together.”
After Mayor Good spoke, Joseph Dalrymple of Dalrymple Construction Services spoke with heartfelt emotion thanking everyone that was part of this project. He especially thanked Rob Robertson with R&M Steel for donating the playground canopy, C&M Lumber for all of their many donations and discounts, Sherwin Williams for the discount on paint, Tates Rents for their donation and their discounted equipment and he expressed gratitude for everyone that called and donated what time they had to give to help get the building to where it is at this point.
Afterward, people were able to tour the building, enjoy cake and conversation.
This project has come a long way with a very small budget but there is more left to do. Your generosity would be greatly appreciated. Anyone who would like to donate to finish up the final touches can reach out to the City of New Meadows at (208) 347-2171.
