The ‘W’ May Have New Life
The South County Community and Fitness Center is closing its doors tonight.
But a local non-profit group is trying to raise money to keep it open.
Lisa Johnson lives in Skandia, and she’s a member of Community Hand-UP.
She recently submitted an application through West Branch Township for a grant from the Michigan State Housing Development Authority.
MSHDA is receiving the money from the federal stimulus bill.
Community Hand-UP is looking for $850,000.
Most of that would go to improving the ‘W’ ‘s energy efficiency, cutting down on its massive utility bills.
Johnson says those bills come out to several hundred thousand dollars a year.
She says MSHDA could decide on the grant as soon as June 1st.
Community Hand-UP is also looking to raise money to re-open the ‘W’.
The group’s hoping to raise at least $100,000 for that purpose.
That amount would be enough to run the ‘W’ for several months.
Johnson says anyone who wants to donate can send a check to:
Community Hand-UP
P.O. Box 106
Skandia, MI 49885 .
She also says you can call 942-7258 if you want to know more.