ST. EDWARD - A Boone County town is raising funds to construct a brand new, multipurpose community center.

In 2014, a community survey revealed that a new community building for the utmost priority for the City Council to improve the City of St. Edward. After years of planning, a design of an 8,640 square foot facility was put together, with the estimated project budget set at $1.3 million.

Earlier this year the citizens of St. Edward passed a half-cent sales tax what will service a city-issued over 20 years, comprising $460,000 of the project's budget. On March 31st the town was awarded a Nebraska Civic and Community Center Financial Funding Grant for $562,000, leaving $300,000 to be raised through private donations to reach the budget. 

The center is salted to be able to host a variety of events and activities, with budgeted multipurpose flooring, tables, and chairs to host up to 320 people. The building will also contain a gym that the school can utilize for different activities, which Committee Member Dean Hamling would be a great benefit to students and parents.

"I in the past had kids go through the school, and when they were in high school they'd leave at six in the morning, and wouldn't get home until six, seven, eight o'clock at night, because there's only one gym," Hamling said. "It's really hard on family life, and the center would really help the 200 kids that are in town."

Hamling says that St. Edward's current community building is 120 years old, and was already showing signs of wear and tear before the March flooding took its toll. Hamling says nearly 20 inches of water was in the building, and he believes building a new center was more justifiable then trying to continue to fix up the downtown building.

Hamling says that St Edwards is nearly at the halfway point of its fundraising goal, and an account has been set up through the Nebraska Community Foundation for those looking to donate directly to fundraising efforts. Those interested in donating can visit the following link: https://www.nebcommfound.org/give/boone-county-foundation-fund/.