Resident urges repurposing town grant for ADA bathroom at proposed community services center

Mark Gabbard, a resident who spoke during public comment at the Feb. 25 Wellington Town Board of Trustees meeting, said the town is in due diligence to acquire a building at 3520 Harrison to serve as a community services center.

Gabbard said the roughly 2,300-square-foot metal building would be divided so half becomes the Wellington food pantry and the other half provides offices for Larimer County Human Services, Summerstone Mental Health and “one or two other offices.” He said private contractors and volunteers are lined up to do the work and that the group has submitted a letter to the town describing the plan.

“The building is about a 2,300 plus square foot building,” Gabbard said. “We’ve had a major shift of direction with our community services center. We’re now in the due diligence stage of acquiring the property at 3520 Harrison.”

Gabbard asked the board to allow the town’s previously gifted $10,000 — originally designated for an elevator — to be redesignated for an Americans with Disabilities Act–accessible bathroom because the center will be on a single story. He said the applicant will provide a copy of the letter to board members the following day.

Trustees responded supportively. Trustee King said repurposing the $10,000 for an ADA bathroom was “perfectly acceptable,” and that he was willing to participate in the effort. Trustee Deaton and others praised the volunteer and organizational support the project has attracted.

No formal action on the funding request was taken during the meeting; Gabbard said town staff would scan and circulate his letter to trustees.