by Tom Coombe
Across the street from a building that has been shuttered for years and will soon be repurposed as a hotel, Ely once again has a community center.
The rebranded Ely Community Center was formally dedicated Aug. 22 with a ribbon cutting, open house, food and entertainment, and much hope for the future.
“This building is about the people,” said Tara Boerst, treasurer and scheduler for the non-profit Ely Community Center organization. “It’s about the meals shared, the games played, the art created and the friendships built here. This is your space and I can’t wait to see how together we’ll make it continue to thrive.”
Formerly known as the Ely Senior Center, the building on First Avenue East has taken on new purpose in the last decade - since the former Community Center closed.
Numerous groups and organizations have used the facility for gatherings, meetings, dinners, classes and more.
Meanwhile, those active created an organization and worked to remodel and renovate the facility.
Some of the work came out of necessity, and Twin Metals Minnesota stepped up to the plate and funded a roof replacement project at the building.
Boerst thanked Twin Metals during her remarks as well as St. Louis County, which paid for new kitchen equipment.
Others thanked during the ceremony included Lake Country Power, which purchased new chairs as well as Ely’s 100+ Women Who Care, who paid for new tables.
Boerst also thanked the city of Ely for its ongoing partnership and support of the facility.
Mayor Heidi Omerza also spoke at both the ribbon cutting and open house, and noted the importance of the building - particularly its use as Ely’s election polling place.
“This is where the citizens of Ely come to hold elections, from school board to city council to president of the United States,” said Omerza.
Omerza added the building is where “I had a lot of great memories,” recalling numerous lunches there with her late father.
The mayor also noted the importance of local gathering places.
“If you listen to podcasts, they talk about the importance of a ‘third place,’” said Omerza. “You have your home life, you have your workplace, and then you need a place to gather. There used to be a lot of places to gather but they’re becoming fewer and fewer.”
Omerza called the building a place where people are “not just among friends, but for new friends to gather from all generations.”
St. Louis County Commissioner Paul McDonald noted the long history of the project calling it a “long time in the making.”
“I remember when I got a call from Theresa Jamnick, when she said ‘Paul, we’ve got a problem,’” recalling when the Arrowhead Economic Opportunity Agency pulled kitchen equipment from the facility. “I contacted our county administrator and said we’ve got to put something together to help these people out.”
McDonald was instrumental in securing funding for the new kitchen appliances, and those have already been put to use.
“It’s not a huge dollar amount but important to the fabric of our community,” said McDonald.
The kitchen has been rented both by an area YMCA camp and will be used by the Ely Folk School as well, while the facility calendar shows an active schedule, with a wide assortment of events.
There’s an website at www.elycommunitycenter.com that details the building’s history and offers a look at the calendar and how individuals and groups may go about reserving space.
Boerst saluted the efforts of all who have worked to make the new Ely Community Center a busy and functional space.
“Over the past few years we’ve worked hard to transform the building,” she said. “These changes have made the center more functional and ready to serve our community for years to come.”
