Via Community News Service, a University of Vermont journalism internship, for The Winooski News
WINOOSKI — The O’Brien Community Center is getting a makeover this fall, at no cost to taxpayers.
The building, located at 32 Malletts Bay Avenue and managed by the Champlain Housing Trust since 2024, is home to many community services, like the Health Center and the Winooski Memorial Library.
The renovations will triple the size of the library, double the size of the health center and create a new entrance, according to Champlain Housing Trust Director of Community Relations Chris Donnelly. The UVM Medical Center’s physical therapy pool and gym will remain untouched and operational throughout the renovation.
The development of the O’Brien Community Center is part of the city’s plan for a more equitable Winooski, which is one of the most diverse cities in the state.
“That’s been the vision for this building from day one,” said Ray Coffey, Winooski’s Community Services director, “to really bring services and social service agencies into one footprint, so that folks can really conveniently access that.”
While the current arrangements have sufficed, Coffey sees room for improvement.
“I think we’ve grown to a point in this building where we need to make some changes,” he said.
Such changes include an improved public gathering space.
The center currently utilizes an old basketball court that was once owned by the YMCA. It hosts events — like birthday parties, weddings and baby showers — at an affordable price for the community. This space will be expanded, and a professional-grade kitchen will be attached.
Additional smaller community rooms will be added, aimed at providing more privacy for community members who use the center to meet with social workers or medical staff. The medical center, in addition to an expansion, will receive updated medical supplies.
The aforementioned library has also been in need of a change. It is currently the smallest library in the state for a city of Winooski’s size, according to Donnelly.
The larger space will allow the library staff to expand their collection and public work areas. Between two and four computers will be added to the existing two, along with improvements to the building’s internet.
For the renovations to begin, both the library and Community Services will temporarily relocate. The Community Services offices will close to the public on April 30, with the library following suit on May 2. They will both reopen between June 1 and 15, depending on how quickly the departments can get situated in their new facilities at 65 Winooski Falls Way. During that time, staff will be available via call or email.
Moving a library is no small feat. The temporary space is smaller and requires the collection to be paired down, with books that haven’t circulated for six or more years being put in storage. The moving itself, which is scheduled for May 18, will require careful organization from staff members.
As for the Health Center, it will initially stay open during the renovations, before transitioning appointments to their existing location on Riverside Avenue in Burlington.
The Champlain Housing Trust, which manages and will soon own the O’Brien Community Center, is in charge of the fundraising for the project, which is expected to cost between $23 million and $24 million.
Donnelly said that in total, there are six sources of funding in what is known as their “funding stack.” The New Market Tax Credit, which is aimed at supporting small community development, accounts for 1/4 of the cost. In addition, they’ve secured $3.5 million in federal grant money through Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.).
Champlain Housing Trust will take on $4 million of what is known as “social impact” debt. These are low interest rate loans, given by people who believe in the community center. They will also be using a $1.3 million loan from the City of Winooski. This loan will be given to the Champlain Housing Trust after they officially purchase the building, and will serve as a sign of both parties’ commitment to the community center.
“That just shows that the city is committed, too. The city has what they call, ‘Skin in the game,’” Donnelly said.
Champlain Housing Trust will receive a $876,694 geothermal tax credit, which they will use to make the building more sustainable by installing a geothermal heating system.
Finally, Champlain Housing Trust is relying on $5 million of charitable gifts. The nonprofit has raised over $2 million thus far and are now focused on filling the remaining gap. Champlain Housing Trust staff are looking for individuals interested in building a strong local community to donate, according to Donnelly.
“Winooski is part of a larger region, and a rising tide lifts all boats,” he said.
The Champlain Housing Trust has a history with community center renovations. They own and manage the Old North End Community Center in Burlington, which received similar renovations right before the pandemic.
Donnelly said that the company’s investment and improvements to the property brought nonprofit tenants more long-term security and allowed for collaboration that created a family health clinic.
Beth Workman, executive director of Robin’s Nest Children Center, said she appreciates the help from Champlain Housing Trust to improve the space of her nonprofit child care and education center.
“We really love working with them. I feel like they appreciate our program and have a strong respect for early childhood education,” Workman said.
One of the improvements she noted was the addition of an air conditioning, which has made the work environment more comfortable in the summertime.
The O’Brien Community Center renovations are slated to begin this fall. Despite the $5 million donation goal not being met, Donnelly said he’s confident in the start time.
“Where there’s real estate, there’s hope,” Donnelly said. “We want to create something really good there, so we’re pushing to do that as soon as we can.”