BOWDOINHAM

Bowdoinham Community Development Initiative can’t be accused of being all talk and no action.

Starting with community conversations in fall 2017 about what residents wanted in the town, the group is working its way through 16 action items based on the feedback it received to make them a reality.

“We looked at feasibility and how it falls into the community layout,” said Ingrid Leschefske, consulting coordinator for BCDI.

She said about 100 people attended the meetings — and the interest from the community carried over when volunteers were needed to get to work.

The most recent initiative to come to the forefront is participating in Poland Spring’s “Calling 207” contest, with the aim being the $5,000 prize that would be used to construct a natural playground near Mailly Waterfront Park. The idea of resident Sally Cluchey, one of the many volunteers who stepped up following the community meetings last year, a natural playground includes rocks, logs, and balance beams with the focus on a “natural setting” opposed to traditional playground equipment.

The playground would build off already completed action items.

“BCDI is looking to build on the success of those items,” said Leschefske. “The natural playground is one that quickly emerged.”

Bowdoinham’s entry in the contest survived the most recent round of voting, with the next round slated to begin Aug. 8.

The organization has already had a hand in bringing Peary’s Garden, the town’s community garden, to fruition. Raised during the community discussion, the project was spearheaded by Brian Smith. BCDI helped him with the fundraising process, serving as the non-profit collector of donations that paid for it to become a reality.

Next up: A community center.

One of the larger ideas brought forth by residents at the meetings, that is being led by Bowdoinham Historical Society, which purchased the Merrymeeting Grange Hall in May for such a purpose.

There are some obstacles: The building is more than 100 years old and needs foundation repairs. Historical Society Treasurer Betsy Steen said the estimated cost of the repair work is $65,000-$70,000, and fundraising is already underway to cover the cost.

The needed fix, however, hasn’t stopped the Historical Society from using the building on a smaller scale.

“We already opened up a small area for people to gather on Mondays,” said Steen. “We’ve fixed up the kitchen, and we had a refrigerator donated.”

The center has also had musical groups practice on the second floor stage, she said, and the historical society is applying for grants to help realize the full potential of the community center — the part of the process where Bowdoinham Community Development Initiative’s expertise will come in handy.

“We’ve been in contact with them,” said Leschefske. “We’ve had a lot of success in finding grants so we definitely have our finger on the pulse.”

chris@timesrecord.com