Wellington eyes creative planning

By JoAn Bjarko
North Forty News

Three Wellington groups have joined financial forces to apply for a grant that could unite the community behind an effort to figure out how to build and maintain a community center that will serve all ages.

Wellington Town Board, the Boys & Girls Club of Larimer County and the Wellington Area Chamber of Commerce have each contributed $500 to hire a professional grant writer to present their case to the Orton Family Foundation.

The program is called Heart & Soul Community Planning, which is designed to identify local values, build a common vision and prioritize actions. "Collecting data about attributes without a sense of shared purpose fails to inform or motivate citizens enough for them to make tough, consistent decisions," according to the foundation, which has offices in Middlebury, Vt.

The foundation will select two communities in the northern Rocky Mountain West to receive up to $100,000 in supporting funds over two years. A local match is required through a combination of in-kind resources and a minimum $25,000 cash. Foundation staff will also be active advisors to the selected grant recipients.

Funded projects will require youth participation and a local partnership with schools. Town leaders working on the grant application are convinced that Wellington has the interested, active youth, along with a multitude of volunteers who make the visionary planning process a success. If the grant is awarded, Wellington will need to establish a community advisory team, which will include a project coordinator working at least 24 hours a week.

Final proposals are due July 20, and a short list of finalists will be announced in September. The final selection will be made in November.

"We would have a blank slate for creative planning," said Chuck Mayhugh, an architect and longtime member of the town planning commission.