OneDenmark unveils bold vision for Community Center

Last week, OneDenmark members were proud to present three high-quality architectural renderings of what their soon-to-be Community Center could look like. The images, prepared by Somerville Architects and Engineers of Green Bay, paint a bold and impressive vision of a beautiful community space in the now-vacated Early Childhood Center (ECC) building on North Wall Street. This week, we thought we would update our readers on the organization's journey towards making this daring vision a reality.

OneDenmark was founded by a group of concerned area residents who joined together with the shared vision of a community "hub" in Denmark. They describe such a hub as "a place to turn to find and offer support" as well as "a group to advocate for our community when local and statewide opportunities emerge." Essentially, the group has tasked itself with finding ways for local organizations and individuals to work together towards a stronger and more vibrant community. This is encapsulated in the organization's motto "Connect. Belong. Thrive." Over the past few years, OneDenmark has striven to achieve this goal by hosting a wide range of community events and initiatives including the Inspired Grounds free coffee events and the Denmark Dinkers pickleball club.

While OneDenmark has thrived and gained a significant following in the community by providing services and programming, they have also been pursuing a physical community hub to truly let their dreams take root. Since the passing of the last district referendum in November 2022 that officially determined the fate of the ECC, OneDenmark has been seeking the newly-vacated building with intentions of establishing a new Community Center there.

Last October, the Denmark School Board unanimously approved OneDenmark's request to obtain the ECC when the district was finished with it on the condition they demonstrate they will be able to maintain the building financially. OneDenmark immediately began initial building plans and undertaking fundraising initiatives. In the last year, they have had numerous successes securing the necessary finances and partnerships. Brown County Library has agreed to reopen their Denmark branch in the center, and numerous other organizations, including the Denmark Community Cupboard, have expressed intentions to relocate there if plans proceed. In February, OneDenmark took part in Give BIG Green Bay raising over $55,000 from supporters. The next month, they were announced as a recipient of a $100,000 Brown County tourism grant whose funds will be used to repair the gymnasium roof.

In May, OneDenmark partnered with Sommerville Architects and Engineers to host a "Visioning Session" in order to get input from community members about what they hoped to see in a potential Community Center. Representatives from Sommerville took the top 20 ideas from the session and incorporated them into their design which was presented to OneDenmark earlier this month. Along with the renderings included here, they also have compiled conceptual floor and site plans.

In October, the Denmark School Board will ultimately decide if they are satisfied with the work OneDenmark has put in and whether to proceed with their resolution from the previous year officially granting the organization ownership of the ECC. In the meantime, OneDenmark representatives are applying for grants and shoring up community organizations, businesses and individuals as partners and sponsors in order to demonstrate the widespread support for their vision.