Ortonville- Exactly half of the adults participating in a recent survey believe a family-centered community center is definitely needed in the area, while an additional 33 percent said one is ‘probably? needed.
Still, there is unlikely to be such a place as the area struggles with a faltering economy.
‘It was encouraging that so many were positive about the need for an after-school place,? said Nancy Strohschein, who chaired the Community After School Task Force, under which the survey was conducted. ‘In the future, there might be a good time to do it. With the economy right now, no one has the extra money laying around. Until it turns around, we can’t pursue a physical place.?
The Community After School Task Force was formed in May 2005 in response to issues the Brandon Township Library was having with vast numbers of children at the library after school and vandalism that was occuring.
Last May, CASTF gave surveys to students at Brandon Middle School, Brandon Fletcher Intermediate School, and all three elementary schools’H.T. Burt, Harvey Swanson and Belle Ann, to discover what kids are doing after school, what they would like to be doing and if there was an interest in a community center. They received 1,374 surveys back and in July, released the findings (‘Survey says: Kids want more activities in the community,? The Citizen, July 30, 2006) which showed most students go home after school; one-quarter of respondents are alone after school; they are interested in social activities, including computers, athletics and arts; and a community center is desired.
The adult surveys were recently tabulated, with 175 surveys returned. Of the respondents, 98 percent have school-aged children. Strohschein gave a presentation to the Ortonville Village Council at their Oct. 23 meeting regarding the findings.
Survey results showed that besides the 83 percent who definitely or probably believe there is a need for a community center, 43 percent of respondents believe there are ‘probably not? or ‘definitely not? enough age-appropriate after-school activities for the community’s children; 30 percent said school transportation issues keep their child from participating in existing activities; 69 percent would probably or definitely support fundraising efforts for a community organization; and 73 percent would definitely or probably pay a fee to have their child attend a quality after-school program.
The Community After School Task Force has ‘retired,? having completed its purpose of finding out what the community wants in terms of after school activities and what it will support, and although it appears that for now there will be no community center, Strohschein will give another presentation on the surveys at the next township board meeting, 7:30 p.m., Nov. 6.