Presque Isle Community Center Project Press Conference

Members of the Presque Isle Community Center Project Campaign Committee met at the William Haskell Recreation Center for a press conference to emphasize to members of the media the importance of the project.

The need for a new recreation center is apparent, but as the committee has progressed on this project they realized stopping at just a new basketball court wouldn't be what Presque Isle needs.

A community center that can bring together members of all ages of the community, a multitude of new activities to offer, and a facility that can be energy efficient while at the same time be cost effective to tax payers -- this was the message committee members want to get across.

But in order to see a day where the public can have access to such a place, the project committee must raise 3.5 million dollars. The city of Presque Isle has a matching contribution for the construction of a $9 million dollar facility.

Features of a new facility would include:

• gymnasium
• indoor track
• toddler room
• teen center
• senior center
• locker rooms
• offices
• aerobics areas
• meeting areas
• outdoor pool
• splash pad

A fundraising drive has already begun to raise the necessary capital to bring this project to a reality and a subcommittee has been organized to plan future events to keep the public informed on the project's progress, and enlist community support to help with the task of fundraising.

The first event is scheduled for the day of the Annual Holiday Light Parade, Saturday December 7th from 3-7pm. The public is invited to visit the William Haskell Rec Center for a meet and greet with Santa before the parade begins and learn about the progress of the community project. The rec center will also act as a collection site for canned goods benefitting Catholic Charities. There will also be cookie decorating and hot cocoa.

The William Haskell Recreation Center has been in operation for nearly 70 years. It has served its purpose. The community has needs that the current rec center in its condition just can't offer to today's and future generations of Presque Isle and the surrounding areas.

To find out more information on the new community center project and how you can help, visit picommunitycenter.com.