A community center for Manchester’s West Side that was has been in the works for several years has a new proposed home at the Kelly Falls housing community on Kimball Street, proponents announced Thursday.
The Board of Directors of the Mark Stebbins Community Center and the Board of Commissioners for the Manchester Housing and Redevelopment Authority have signed a 75-year lease to build and operate a facility for local children and residents.
A community center planned for Manchester’s West Side will be named after the late Mark Stebbins, CEO of PROCON construction.
In November 2021, 30 community and nonprofit leaders gathered with the Stebbins Family to begin planning the center named for the late Mark Stebbins, the CEO of PROCON and a long-time philanthropist. The project stalled when a site chosen near Gossler Park Elementary School was opposed by area residents, who cited traffic concerns.
The housing authority will lease the Kelly Falls land to the center for a nominal amount, and organizers will raise the funds and build the center, the release said.
The center, expected to be about 20,000 square feet, will need the approval of the Manchester Planning Board and the Board of Mayor and Alderman, which organizers expect to begin seeking later this year.
“This is a natural partnership and one in which everything fell into place perfectly,” said Bill Steele, chairman of the MSCC Board of Directors, in a statement. “The Kelley Falls location already had plans developed for a community center to be incorporated into the site.”
The group’s board plans to raise funds from individual donors, local and national foundations, and companies, and also plans to pursue state and federal funding. The nonprofit center will pay for all construction and operating expenses through funds raised and will not use local tax funds, the release said.
“This facility will provide both a guarantee of space for children who live at Kelley Falls as well as access to families on the entire West Side for services provided by outstanding nonprofit agencies,” said Catherine Naczas, of Manchester Housing and Redevelopment Authority.
The Boys & Girls Club of Manchester and Amoskeag Health will be providing services for youth and families, similar to programs they offer on the city’s East Side.
“Many of the children currently enrolled in our activities and programs live in and around the Kelley Falls site, so this will make it easier for families to access what we have to offer,” said Diane Fitzpatrick, CEO of the Boys & Girls Club of Manchester.
“This is such an exciting step forward and we are so fortunate to have found a location that is already designed for a community center such as this one,” said Kris McCracken, president and CEO of Amoskeag Health.
Organizers plan to discuss the project and meet with local neighbors, the release said. Those interested are asked to email info@stebbinscommunitycenter.org.
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