Armed with an approval from the Wells Planning Board for design and building of the Founders Park Community Center, the committee that has shepherded the project along for the past two years now sets its sights on raising the funds necessary to complete the dream. That would involve raising approximately $2.5 million to fund construction and establish an endowment to maintain the structure in future years.

“We have funds in hand and via commitments for over $500,000,” said Bob Foley, the chairperson of the Founders Park Community Center Committee. “Getting Planning Board approval is a big hurdle that we’ve overcome. We believe that will spur donations.”

The open-air pavilion will be located on Route 109 on the town-owned parcel between Town Hall and Wells Elementary School. It will share the parcel with the historic John Wells House.

The various uses envisioned include ice skating in winter, pickleball in summer, school events, farmers’ market, and other community activities, truly serving as the heart of the town.

The committee has proceeded in its work with the goal of raising all the necessary funds for the project through private donations, not asking for town support via taxes. It is a tall order, but the committee has several strategies they believe will yield the money needed. Primary among these is the sale of commemorative bricks that will pave the walkway leading to the building’s entrance as well as picnic and sitting areas surrounding the pavilion.

The bricks, which sell for $125 each, can be personalized to include a person’s name and/or phrase – up to three lines – possibly highlighting birthdays, graduations, weddings, and other memorable places and dates.

“Brick sales could fund the entire project,” Foley said, noting that a direct-mail campaign encouraging brick sales is forthcoming. “It’s coming soon to a mailbox near you. If every family in town would join us in making this a reality by buying a brick, it could fund the entire project.”

As of July 31, prior to the Planning Board’s approval of the project, over $19,000 has been raised in brick sales. That number, as well as other donations, is expected to increase following the board’s action.

“We’ll be putting a thermometer at the site,” Foley said. “As funds continue to come in, people can see where we are.”

Bricks (and all other donations) can be purchased via links found on the committee’s Facebook page (Founders Park Community Center -Town of Wells) and website, www.foundersparkcommunitycenter.org.

While brick sales are a major initiative for the committee, they are not the only thing planned. The committee has scheduled a Comedy Night fundraiser, like the one presented at Village by the Sea last October. In addition, there’s an adult ’80s Prom scheduled for Feb. 14 at Village by the Sea. More information on both of those events, including ticket sales, will be available shortly.

The pace and success for the fundraising efforts will translate directly into construction.

“We had hoped to break ground later this year,” Foley said. “The delay in Planning Board approval has put us a bit beyond that. We’ll wait until spring when we hope to have sufficient funds on hand to start.”

Jim Kanak is a member of the Founders Park Community Center Committee. He can be reached at 207-289-4399.