OneDenmark supporters help "fill the bucket"

Last Tuesday, the former Denmark Early Childhood Center (ECC) was filled with excitement and dreams for the future. That night, OneDenmark hosted a special "Fill the Bucket" fundraiser featuring tours, refreshments and visions of what will soon be the Denmark Community Center. The Denmark News stopped by to learn more.

For the last few years, OneDenmark members have made it their mission to find a way to establish a community "hub" in Denmark where residents and organizations can enjoy community events and public amenities. After officially taking ownership of the former ECC building last October, the organization has been hard at work planning their new community center and finding ways to make their dream a reality.

While in their planning stage, OneDenmark has found a number of ways to utilize their new space even before renovation. This includes the Denmark Dinkers Pickleball which has played in the gymnasium, open walking in the hallways and hosting events like the recent Denmark Teaching Denmark opportunity. However, now that construction is slated to begin on the building, these offerings will have to be temporarily relocated before finding their permanent home in the new Community Center next year. 

Last Tuesday night, OneDenmark supporters were invited to the Community Center for a final event before renovations begin. The organization used the event to kick off their "Fill the Bucket" campaign which aims to raise an additional $2 million to bring their "community center plans to life". The additional funds will be used to renovate the parts of the building that are not covered by their DOA Flexible Facilities $4 million grant. Near both entrances, volunteers were stationed with their titular buckets for donations and helped visitors fill out donation and pledge forms. Organizers also offered tours of the building where they shared the vision of what is to become of the space following renovations. Throughout the building, renderings of the future rooms were displayed and signs on several doors noted what the room would be used for. Representatives from organizations that would call the center home were also in attendance including Brown County Library and the Denmark Community Cupboard.

Somerville Architects and Engineers is heading up the design process for the project which is now going out for bid to contractors. The first step in the renovations will be removing asbestos from throughout the structure with construction slated to begin by July 1. OneDenmark is hoping to unveil their new and improved Community Center to the public in 2026.