By Nancy Jennings
Thanks to a Marion County Grant of nearly $23,000 and over a dozen community volunteers, the Scotts Mills Community Center has been renovated. The original paint and wallpaper shop, which was modified into a house in the mid-80s and then converted to the community center, was officially completed and reopened on April 4.
A variety of players were responsible for this effort coming together. Silverton Architect Michael Wellman donated his professional assistance at the drafting table. Withers Lumber, Lone Pine Septic, Republic Services and Abiqua Roofing supplied the needed building materials through donations or by generously reducing prices.
Random acts of kindness helped, too.
Community Center President Nikolina Barber recalled talking to a person driving by who just happened to see the construction. He stopped and offered her two free brand-new windows right then and there. She accepted.
Barber credits County Commissioner Janet Carlson with initially securing the grant through the Oregon Lottery.
Barber, whose mother, Esther Fennimore, and late mother-in-law, Peggy Barber, bought the building in 1984, looks forward to seeing even more shared community activities.
The Community Center provides food boxes for the needy throughout the year. Residents in the Scotts Mills/Butte Creek/Monitor areas are welcome to drop off donations or receive food boxes on Tuesdays between 9 and 11 a.m.
Center activities include monthly neighborhood watch meetings, AA support group meetings three times a week and a pancake breakfast on the last Sunday of the month from 7 a.m. to noon. Free coffee and snacks are offered every Thursday morning from 7 to 10 a.m.
A “Women’s Friendship Coffee” group started in February on the last Thursday of every month at 10:30 a.m.
Scotts Mills Mayor Paul Brakeman offered praise for a job well done.
“Thank you very much to all the people who donated their time and products. It looks fantastic now,” Brakeman said. Joe Plas, lifelong resident of Scotts Mills and a community volunteer, oversaw the construction from start to finish.
“It went so well because of all the great community involvement and volunteers that helped us – and the businesses who were so willing to help us,” he said.
Inside and out, the renovation has been extensive. The center now offers more useful space for larger events.
“It’s lovely to rent out to people looking for a facility to fit 30 people. We just had a concealed weapons class that we couldn’t hold before. It’s very comfortable now,” Barber said.
For more information on the center. located at 298 4th St., contact the Scotts Mills City Clerk’s office at 503-873-5435, or Nikolina Barber at 503-873-5059.
