Burns Community Center result of community spirit
By ROWENA PLETT
staff writer
The people of Burns, in partnership with the Kansas Department of Commerce and Housing through a KAN-STEP grant, have turned a dream into a reality. On April 2, they proudly celebrated the grand opening of a new Burns Community Center.
The town received a $338,000 community development grant in September and was given two years to complete the project.
The project was begun in November and completed in March after only four months, with community volunteers doing all the work.
"The people put their hearts and hands together," said Dale Houghton, pastor of Burns United Methodist Church. "I didn't think it could be done so quickly."
Mayor Mary Glenn, re-elected April 1 for another four-year term, said the building was first discussed six years ago in connection with the PRIDE program.
She talked about events leading up to the project. She noted that several years ago the town lost its bank when the front wall collapsed and the building had to be demolished.
Fortunately, Steve Waite, president of Community National Bank in El Dorado, came to Burns and built an attractive branch bank. It sits next to the community building.
The town also recently lost its school. The building was condemned and demolished.
"We have come together to prove that we are not going to lie down and die," Glenn said. "This was what people wanted."
She said she visited the site daily as work progressed and was amazed at all the talent in the community. She also said the project gave her an opportunity to learn to know the people in the community.
"I think it was the most exciting time of my life," she commented.
She said people made donations to Burns Café to provide a daily hot lunch for workers. Others brought sweets and snacks to the site.
Stanley Geisel, along with Galen Becker, was a foreman, and thanked all who helped, including volunteers from surrounding communities who provided labor and equipment.
Mayor Glenn introduced city clerk Carolyn Koehn as "our spark plug."
Koehn underwent three days of intensive training to become licensed to administrator the grant money, cutting more than $20,000 from the cost.
She used her knowledge of architecture to assist in drawing up a floor plan and choosing an architect. Dan Hall of Manhattan was selected out of three considered.
"It wasn't always easy," Koehn acknowledged. "I sometimes got discouraged, and it took a lot of tenacity to see it through."
She said she knew the people were willing and could accomplish the task.
"I think we will have to give you, the people of Burns, the prize for the fastest building to go up," said Marilyn Graham, guest speaker from KDCH.
Larry Brozek of Kropf Lumber, Hesston, which supplied most of the materials, presented Glenn, Koehn, Geisel, and Becker with a plaque in honor of their accomplishment.
The 250-300 people who attended the grand opening enjoyed cookies, coffee, and punch served from the large kitchen.
A video tape taken by Earl Glenn was played for those wishing to view the construction process.
The 4,000 square feet of interior space includes: a large meeting room; small meeting room; large, open kitchen; safe room and tornado shelter for 40 people which doubles as a playroom for children; a wellness room for health checks; and two spacious restrooms.
Large Andersen windows on all sides of the building provide a light, airy interior atmosphere.
A wide porch flanks two sides of the building, and a roofed drive-through on the north end provides access for people with wheel chairs and for times of inclement weather.
In May, cement will be poured for parking areas to the north and west, and a brick walk will be installed along the street.
Residents are proud of the new structure and foresee the center as a popular place for family reunions, wedding receptions, birthday parties, and community events.
