CDC holds opening that’s grand

Corp. open for business at new Central St. location

By Owen Boss

GARDNER — The Thursday grand opening of the Community Development Corp.’s new location on Central Street drew a wide variety of state, city and community leaders, almost all of whom played a role in securing a permanent home for the community outreach organization. Corporation President Mark Goldstein said that although the project had its ups and downs, it was through the steadfast determination of a group of dedicated individuals and the local community that made the project a reality. “One thing that we have always talked about is the fact that we needed a new residence, a place that we could call our own and be a shining star within the community,” said Mr. Goldstein. “We traveled a long, arduous road to get here, we had to fundraise, we had to ask the state for funding, we had to get private funding, we had to deal with architects, we had to deal with contractors and we had to deal with the court system. It has not been an easy road to get to where we were today but look at this place — isn’t it just marvelous?” Although he noted that the projects was made possible through the combined effort of more members of the community than he could possibly thank individually, Mr. Goldstein made a point of singling out some of the more active participants in the culmination of the project. Those included in his special thanks were state Rep. Robert Rice, D-Gardner and Sen. Robert Antonioni, D- Leominster, who were intricate in gathering the funding necessary for the move. He also thanked James Culkeen, the superintendent of Montachusett Regional Technical Vocational School, for making his students available for the majority of the construction work that went into transforming the location. Also listed was Mayor Mark Hawke, whom Mr. Goldstein said secured a substantial amount of grant money for the corporation during his time as a grant writer before he took office. Rob Hubbard, the executive director of the Gardner Redevelopment Authority, was also credited as someone who sacrificed his time to seeing the project through to fruition. “Although I have thanked all of these people I would just like remind those in attendance that it was really all of you that made this possible,” said Mr. Goldstein. “Whether you contributed by putting stamps on envelopes, participating in the move, or working through our programming, it has been all of you that has made this dream come true.” At the grand opening, James Cruickshank, CDC executive director, presented several of the attendees with memorial trophies shaped as puzzle pieces, in a tribute to the many different parts that came together in the planning of the new center. “This project was like a thousand-piece puzzle, and we had to make sure that all the pieces fit together,” said Mr. Cruickshank. “And when it was all said and done, we couldn’t have any of those pieces missing.” One of those in attendance who received a puzzle piece was Mr. Hawke, who said he at one time worked at the location as a bartender, and said he was amazed at the transformation, and proud of how the location has now changed to better serve the community. “This really is a great day for Gardner and the downtown area,” said Mr. Hawke. “I really want to thank all of you for all of your hard work.” Another community leader on hand was Edward L. Lepkowski, redevelopment authority chairman, who said that it took a certain amount of resiliency to see the project to its finish. “This really is a beautiful building, and on behalf of the GRA we are so proud to be a part of this,” said Mr. Lepkowski. “We took it on, we had some problems when we first started but we didn’t give up, and I’m glad to be standing here where I am now dedicating it.” Also speaking on behalf of the redevelopment authority was Mr. Hubbard, who said that it was with the support of several members of the Department of Housing and Community Development that the project was made a success. “We had two different grants from DHCD to make this possible and it was a rather unique situation to combine these two grants in the same building, and as Jim said this is a puzzle with a lot of different pieces, and everyone had to work hard to put it together.” Mr. Rice, who presented the corporation with a certificate Mr. Antonioni signed, said that through the constant fundraising efforts of local and state officials the area the new building is located in is quickly becoming one of the most appealing architectural locations in the region. “The CDC does such great work, and it fills me with pride to know that I made a contribution to keeping this corporation alive,” said Mr. Rice. “I want to recognize all of the state partnerships and all of the private public partnerships that have made this building a reality I would just like to thank everybody who has had a role in this.” oboss@thegardnernews.com

Appeared on Page 1 on 6/13/2008 (Vol. 206 No. 140)