We are all familiar with the plight of small towns. People moving away, businesses closing and schools co-oping with the bigger next town over. It is difficult to fight that trend, but as a local community is discovering, it is not impossible. Several passionate people in Veblen are putting their blood, sweat and tears into keeping an iconic building not only standing, but useful and vibrant.
That local building is the former Veblen Elementary School, which in recent years was known as the Old School Mall. Veblen High School closed in 2003 and the building was subsequently torn down. The elementary school stayed open for a few more years before closing in 2009. At that time, the school was given to the city.
Local resident and Veblen Community Center Committee member, Chuck Vrchota noted that over the years there were some businesses housed in the building but ultimately, they floundered, and the building became more of an expense for the city. “It was like anything,” he said. “If a building doesn’t get used and there isn’t continued maintenance, things will go downhill.”
Vrchota explains that about two years ago, there was a proposal before the city council to sell the building to a marijuana company to use for a growing space. When dozens of residents turned out against that option, the council took note. But that still didn’t solve the problem about what to do with the building.
“We realized that we had enough voices among us that we could create a group to work on the issue,” said Chuck. He added that the original committee to address the matter had fifty members. People were clearly passionate about the future of the building.
At the time, it was not as if the building was completely empty either. A daycare center, Schoolhouse Daycare, had been functioning in the building for a number of years. There was also a fitness center that got steady use plus the town library and the senior center. The Veblen city offices are also located there.
The question was what to do with the rest of the sizable building and how to deal with improvements that needed to be made. “The issue was how to make the building pay for itself,” said Chuck. The city granted the committee latitude to make decisions and improvements to work towards that goal, and the building was rechristened as the Veblen Community Center.
That committee had some lofty goals. According to committee member Kristin Pester, “ Our purpose was to fundraise projects at the Community Center itself. These projects include updating the outdoor lighting, fixing the iconic Veblen sign wall, painting the lunchroom and kitchen, updating restrooms and providing ADA compliant handicap doors. What all these projects have in common is the upkeep and effort to keep our community center alive.”
LED lighting was added to brighten up both inside and outside the building. Plus, the committee worked to publicize spaces in the center that were already available to rent. Both the school gymnasium and the kitchen/lunchroom could be used for a number of functions. The lunchroom is even freshly painted thanks to a donation by the Senior Citizen group.
“We’ve had graduation receptions here, bridal and baby showers, church services and funeral luncheons and even weddings,” said Chuck’s wife, Cindy (Guy) Vrchota. The space is very affordable, costing $100 to use the kitchen and dining room and $150 to use the gym along with the kitchen and dining room. There is even a reduced rate for nonprofits and fundraisers.
Another ambition for the committee is to rent out the former classrooms to be used for commercial office space. Various 30 foot by 30-foot rooms are available for $350 a month with utilities included. “I could imagine that these rooms would work great for an office for someone that formerly had a home office and wants to move it out of the house,” said Chuck. “Especially considering that there is daycare right in the building, it would be a great option for a working parent.”
When asked why they are putting all this effort into the community center, Cindy notes that many people have a nostalgic feeling towards the building. “People on the committee went to school here or their kids did,” she said. “We don’t want to see it go away.”
Committee member Nancy Hustel agreed. “This building is really the only thing left in Veblen that ties people together,” she emphasized. “A diverse group has formed this committee and we are working toward a similar goal. I think all of us on the committee are proud of what we have accomplished so far.”
They are also aware of the trends in small-town America. “This is a pretty nice building for a town as small as Veblen,” said Chuck. “And we realize that if it goes away, we are not going to get something newer or better.”
“It’s hard to imagine Veblen without the important services the Center already houses, from the daycare to the gym,” added Pester. “We need to keep Veblen on the map, and improving our Community Center will do just that.”
As they look forward, the committee sees a bright future for the building. They already have plans and funds in place to replace the broken front door of the building. They also see updated ADA-accessible bathrooms in the near future.
For community fun, the committee expects to hold their big Halloween event this year again, along with likely hosting Santa in a few months’ time.
To learn more about the Veblen Community Center and renting spaces there, you can visit its Facebook page or contact the city at 605-7382521.
