In the heart of Hartland, a community center will make much-needed repairs
Photo / Courtesy USDA
Located near affordable housing in downtown Hartland, the Irving Tanning Community Center offers youth sports and a range of activities and civic events.
A community center in the small Somerset County town of Hartland — population under 800 — will be able to perform much-needed repairs, thanks to a $238,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Repairs to the Irving Tanning Community Center, at 62 Elm St. in downtown Hartland, include replacing the 25-year-old roof and improving the heating system.
The 24,000-square-foot facility includes a gymnasium, community room, meeting rooms and offices.
The award comes through USDA Rural Development’s Community Facilities Direct Loan and Grant Program.
Jim Dyer, board treasurer for the community center, estimated the total project cost will be about $317,000. The volunteer organization will continue to fundraise to complete the improvements.
The center was originally part of the local elementary school complex, operating out of a wing built in 1999.
When area schools later consolidated and relocated, the town of Hartland partnered with the Kennebec Valley Community Action Program to develop affordable housing on a portion of the center’s property.
The volunteer-led center’s board of directors maintained possession of the remainder of the property, continuing to offer programming for youths and adults as well as rental space for private events, town meetings and community activities.
Kennebec Valley Community Action Program has since developed two affordable housing complexes of 30 units each next to the center, increasing demand for its programs, according to a news release
“Having places to gather in person to celebrate and to grieve and to learn from one another is the antidote to so many issues we collectively face in our rural state,” said Rhiannon Hampson, Rural Development’s Maine state director.
The center also serves the nearby communities of Palmyra and St. Albans.
Elementary school students from all three towns — about 100 students each season — participate in the combined youth recreation programs offered there. Musical events, bingo, community fundraisers and other activities are regularly scheduled for people of all ages. The town of Hartland uses the facility for municipal events such as public hearings and annual town meetings.
The funding comes through Congressionally directed spending supported by U.S. Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine.
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