The North Country Community Recreation Center (NCCRC) board of directors invites community members from northern Coos County, NH and northeastern Essex County, VT to attend an informational gathering on February 13, 2025, from 6:30-8:00 PM at The Tillotson Center, located at 14 Carriage Lane, Colebrook, NH. The goal will be to get stakeholders actively involved in the development of a Wellness Center, at the former North Country Community Recreation Center in Colebrook.
A presentation of the background of the “Rec Center” will be shared, along with the plans to develop it into a Wellness Center, and ways the community can be involved moving forward. The facility, located at 33 Rec Center Road, closed its doors in 2020 after being open for 15 years. The space previously offered an indoor public pool, ice skating rink, playground, volleyball court, party room and well attended recreation programs for all ages. Unfortunately, this model proved unsustainable.
Upper Connecticut Valley Hospital (UCVH) has been leading the redevelopment of the property into a Wellness Center over recent years with the NCCRC board, and several sizable grants have been secured for the project. Now the organizations are seeking local stakeholders to get involved to bring the project forward. The current redevelopment proposal, which was created with a thorough business plan and feasibility study, has been voted down by the NCCRC board, who feels the project scale may not be feasibly supported by our local area’s current economy and population. However, the group is still interested in exploring alternative down-sized options, to see how organizations, businesses and clubs can join together to fulfill community needs and utilize the property and building as a central Wellness Center to serve the region.
Chairperson for the NCCRC board, Brian LaPerle notes, “The Rec Center board is hopeful community members are interested in working on solutions to hurdles we are facing.” CEO of UCVH, Greg Cook adds, “Finding the right pathway forward with greater community involvement will be instrumental.” Britni Haley of the Community Builders Hub is partnering to help organize the event, as it aligns with the feedback she’s received from the public for issues of importance in the region, including youth opportunities, gathering places and wellness support.
Leaders and members of local community organizations and clubs, school board members, town administrators, wellness related businesses, and residents with ideas or interest in using the facility or being involved in this process are encouraged to attend. There will be opportunities presented to join teams working on different aspects of the project. More information is available online at the News & Events pages of www.ucvh.org or by contacting Brian LaPerle at brian@northerntire.com or 603-237-1457.
UPDATE ON 2/11/25:
We are thrilled to see the level of interest the public is showing in being involved with the Wellness Center development! The event is coming right up this Thursday evening, and we are hopeful for a great collaborative effort to unfold.
After receiving several requests for a virtual/recorded option for this meeting, we are providing a zoom link (below) for those that cannot attend in person. This will be available as view only, without public comments, as we hope to be fully engaged with the audience at the event. We highly recommend joining in person if you are able, but we are also happy to be able to offer this option to interested individuals.
Join Zoom Meeting at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, 2/13/25:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89998745658
Meeting ID: 899 9874 5658
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