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Residents propose community kitchen and office/daycare options for Center School
Summary
Representatives from the Center School Committee presented two reuse plans for the Center School: an office and basement daycare arrangement, and a timeshare commercial kitchen for local farmers estimated at $5.5 million, with possible state grant support and a recommended farmer interest survey.
Jenny Morrison of the Center School Committee II and community member Judy Markland presented two possible reuse plans for Whately’s Center School, urging the Agricultural Commission to consider local-need options.
The first option would convert the main floor to office space with a daycare in the basement. The second would create a timeshare commercial kitchen where local farmers could prepare and package products for sale at local markets rather than large retailers. "There could be an opportunity to develop a partnership with Greenfield Community Kitchen," Judy Markland said, noting four nearby community kitchens in Holyoke, Ashfield, Greenfield and South Deerfield.
Markland told the commission the projected budget for a community kitchen, including renovations, is approximately $5.5 million and that state grant programs may offset some costs. She suggested conducting a survey of local farmers to determine demand, a step Chair Doug Coldwell said would be necessary to guide future conversations.
The commission did not take a vote but discussed next steps and data gathering. No formal funding decisions were made at the meeting; supporters said additional research and grant scouting would be required before any commitment.
The commission is expected to consider survey results and possible partnership options at a future meeting.
