Programs and activities beginning to take shape now
By Barb Pert Templeton
An update at a recent Algonac City Council meeting had City Manager Artie Bryson sharing that 102 key fobs have been sold so far for the new Algonac Activity Center. The fobs, which allow entry to individuals over the age of 18 and children accompanied by an adult, are $30 for residents and $60 for non-residents.
A grand opening celebration of the center is scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 19 at 6 p.m. with a ribbon cutting at 5:30 p.m. The event is free to the public. Participants are encouraged to bring their lawn chairs and coolers; entertainment will be provided by Meldrum Brothers.
At a Jan. 20 meeting, Councilwoman Wendy Meldrum asked how people dragging chairs across the basketball court at the center would affect the floor.
“It should be fine,” Bryson said. “We don’t have to take our shoes off and run around in socks, you can if you want.”
“It’s not wood,” Councilman Jake Skarbek added.
“It’s a laminate,” Bryson said.
Meldrum then asked about key fobs, are they purchased per household or per person.
A simple schedule with hours and activities planned is being posted around town for the Algonac Activity Center.
Mayor Pro Tem Dawn Davey, who plans to keep people informed about the Activity Center by posting things on her “Light Up Algonac” page on Facebook, said with the key fobs it’s difficult to do per household or per family. The reason being that there are open gym nights for kids, and the city doesn’t have staff there so if somebody buys one and sends their child up to the center that’s not going to work because there’s no staff to keep an eye on them.
“So key fobs are per person, per adults (only)” Davey said, as the center is for those 18 and over unless accompanied by an adult. “Just so you know we are just starting this and it’s a work in progress.”
Mayor Rocky Gillis further explained that since the building is unmanned the key fobs are matched to each person’s name so when that person walks into the building they know it’s you, because the whole building has cameras.
“So that’s why it’s not per household, it’s per adult – you can bring your kids in there to walk but they can’t be unaccompanied,” Gillis said.
Skarbek asked if the purchase of the key fob is a one-time payment or once a year payment. Gillis said it’s once a year.
“That’s what helps us cover the cost of the building to offset some of the costs,” Gillis said.
“We’re just getting the handle of the costs, insurance, heat and electricity,” Bryson added.
Members of the Algonac City Council, along with City Manager Artie Bryson, are working together, along with members of the community, to navigate plans for the new Algonac Activity Center.
Meldrum clarified it by asking if that means each of the pickle ball players have key fobs they paid for and Gillis said yes. And the same with the sewers in the quilting program, Bryson added.
Gillis said the biggest thing to remember is that the city has never opened a community center before and everyone involved is trying their best to figure it out and navigate through it.
“We’re trying to make it driven by the community which we think it is so far,” Gillis said. “And it’s $30 per person per adult, for residents and $60 for non-residents.”
“We’re trying to make it driven by the community which we think it is so far. And it’s $30 per person per adult, for residents and $60 for non-residents.”
Algonac Mayor Rocky Gillis
Bryson said he was completing a calendar for the center that will list activities by month and he hoped to publish it on the city website soon.
The Algonac Community Center is located at the former Algonac Elementary School located at 1216 St. Clair River Drive in Algonac.
