GIBBON — The City of Gibbon is using grant funding to help renovate a building to create a facility that can incorporate both the city offices and a community center.
Matt Smallcomb, Gibbon City Administrator, said this project started in 2019. The initial idea had been to add an addition to the existing fire hall to incorporate the city offices.
However, the COVID-19 pandemic and the associated rise in costs meant the first plan was no longer financially feasible.
Luckily, the former American Legion Hall on the south side of town, across from Gibbon Public Schools became available for purchase in August 2022, which the city moved on. Smallcomb said things worked out as the city also owns the property near the building.
The plan is for the former Legion Hall, 10,000 square feet, to be split in half. One side will host renovated city offices and the other half will be a community center.
Smallcomb said around 6,000 feet will be dedicated to the community center, with a sliding accordion wall down the center which can split the room to accommodate two events. There will be seating for over 200 people.
“This will be a functional space for all kinds of events,” Smallcomb said, listing graduations, receptions, meetings and senior center events on a weekly basis.
“We hope it can be very versatile and open to everyone,” said Smallcomb.
The other half of the building will be split between the city offices, a conference room and the city council chambers.
With the building in city hands, the next step was acquiring funding for the renovation.
Smallcomb said they were able to secure a $150,000 grant from the Nebraska Department of Economic Development.
After sending the project out to bid and getting a better idea of the costs, they secured grants from other sources, including $25,000 from the Arthur Klinkacek Community Enrichment grant from the Kearney Area Community Foundation (KACF).
Staff with the KACF said the Klinkacek estate allowed for community enrichment grants, which they were able to take applications for.
Deb VanMatre, Mayor of Gibbon, contacted the KACF to inquire about grant opportunities and was referred to the Klinkacek Enrichment Fun.
“We’ve been fortunate to apply for and receive enough grant funding to almost take care of the community center side,” VanMatre told the KACF.
The timeline is to begin renovations by Dec. 1 and the tentative finish date is late May. Smallcomb said he is thankful for the patience of the residents of Gibbon, given that the idea for this project dates back four years.
“I really think this is a 50-year project for us,” Smallcomb said, “This building will effect the community for the next 50 years…the possibilities are endless.”
