By Mary Sornsin & Andreya Krieves, PLACE team

After months of dedicated organizing, PLACE (People for Local Activities & Community Enrichment) spokespersons Andreya Krieves and Kimberly Langston presented a proposal on June 5 to the Grand Junction City Council.  The presentation included a PowerPoint and video supporting a feasibility study for a Grand Junction Community & Recreation Center.

The City Council agreed to sign on to a Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) $25,000 matching grant application to fund the study.  The team just received notification that the grant has been awarded!

These days the PLACE team — a committee of Western Colorado Congress of Mesa County — is working with Grand Junction Parks & Recreation to develop a request for proposal (RFP) to get bids for the feasibility study.  Additionally, PLACE members continue to meet with people in our community to build public support for a community center. PLACE will also be tabling at the Downtown Grand Junction Farmer’s Market on August 10 and September 14, as well as meeting with community groups, individuals, and leaders.  

PLACE’s Facebook page (www.facebook.com/GJCommunityCenter/) currently has 1,080 followers and over 2,200 signatures of support have been collected.  This work will continue for the next several months while the feasibility study is being completed. The grassroots organization wants to listen to the citizens of Grand Junction to best shape a Community & Recreation Center Plan.

Want to get involved? Follow our posts, share them with friends, or attend a meeting.  Our email address is gjcommunitycenter@westerncoloradoalliance.org

Want to join the effort to bring a community & recreation center to Grand Junction?

• Farmer’s Market table: Help us spread the word! We’ll be tabling at the Downtown Grand Junction Farmer’s Market August 10 & September 14, 5:00-8:00pm Main Street, Grand Junction.  Send us an email at gjcommunitycenter@westerncoloradoalliance.org if you’re interested in volunteering, and we’ll bring you up to speed & get you set up with a shift. Even if you can’t volunteer, stop by and say hello!
• We have several other committees that could use volunteers – send an email to gjcommunitycenter@westerncoloradoalliance.org and we’ll find something that’s a good fit for you