CLACC Receives Grant

By Muriel Nelson

The Clear Lake Area Community Center, Inc. (CLACC) is grateful to the Fred C. and Katherine B. Andersen Foundation of Bayport, MN for awarding a grant to the community center. The Fred C. and Katherine B. Andersen Foundation was established in 1959 and primarily serves St. Croix Valley communities in Polk, St. Croix and Pierce counties in Wisconsin and Washington and eastern Ramsey counties in Minnesota.  The foundation follows its core value that charitable grant making advances and builds thriving communities in the area it serves.

CLACC will use this grant money to not only complete the heating system upgrade in the former gymnasium wing but to also evaluate the heating and ventilation in the remainder of the facility. As with other historical buildings, the heating systems at CLACC don’t always work as needed. Determining how best to heat and ventilate the building is important for the comfort of the center’s tenant and visitors.

A major portion of the grant will be used to reroof two sections of the facility. The roofing project entails  new roofing on sections of the roof that were last replaced when this historic building was still a high school, in other words, prior to 1997. The center board, and especially those members who have been dealing with roof issues for the last few years, is happy to report that when this project is completed, the entire facility will be “topped off” with materials that should last more than 20 years.

Thanks to the diligent work of the CLACC Grant Committee, partial funding toward the heating system upgrade was previously received. In addition, the center also acquired funding for an asbestos abatement project that was completed earlier this year. In addition,  However, many other improvements are needed to keep the 103-year-old building functioning. 

Some of the major projects on the “to do” list includes upgrading the Event Center stage to include lighting and sound systems, upgrading other parts of the heating system, repairing the mortar of the brick façade (“tuckpointing”), expanding and resurfacing one of the parking lots, replacing windows, and improving equipment in the commercial kitchen.

CLACC is thankful for the continued support it receives by community participation at center fundraising events and monetary donations. In addition to monetary donations, major gifts such as stocks, bonds, real estate and vehicles are also accepted. All donations are tax-deductible and will make all the difference in preserving our historic building

For more information on donating, contact the center at 715-263-2233 or check out the website at clacc.org and CLACC’s Facebook page, FB.com/clacc.org.