City of Walnut Announces Community Center;

Starts Partnership with PCCF

The Antique City is planning to preserve part of the past by converting the former school building located at 415 Antique City Dr. into a new community center.

"We're excited to put life back into this building and make it a place the community can once again utilize and appreciate," said Mayor Gene Larsen.

To assist with fundraising efforts and sustain the community center well into the future, the City of Walnut recently established an endowment fund with the Pottawattamie County Community Foundation. Funds from this endowment, named the Walnut Community Center Fund, will be used to preserve, renovate, improve and operate the new Walnut Community Center.

"We're honored that the City of Walnut chose to partner with us on this significant project for their community," said Jerry Mathiasen, PCCF President & CEO. "Walnut has a vision, and it's exciting to be a part of it."

"It was important for the city council to have something in place to accept donations as we plan for the future of this center," said Larsen. "We appreciate the cooperation of PCCF, as well as its added incentive on donations."

Mathiasen explained that "as it does with all its charitable funds, PCCF will add a 10% contribution onto any donation."

Donating to the Walnut Community Center Fund is easy:

1. Visit www.ourpccf.org

2. Select "Donate to a Charitable Fund"

3. Print and complete the Walnut Community Center Fund donation form

4. Mail the form along with payment to the Pottawattamie County Community Foundation

The last day of classes at the Walnut Community School District occurred in May 2016. The doors were locked, the buildings were emptied, and townsfolk worried about what would become of the campus. After 144 years of education, Walnut Community School shut its doors.

The City Council of Walnut, population 785, agreed to take possession of the facility with a dream of creating a Walnut Community Center. A committee of interested citizens was formed, regular meetings held, and progress is being made toward the goal of establishing a community center. Walnut has the opportunity to show its children that even when a door closes, another one opens.

The goal is to use the former school building to provide multiple uses. They include:

* Restoring the 1910 original school building (purpose yet to be determined);

* Transforming the newest portion into an event center that will provide revenue for operational expenses;

* Creating a community fitness center;

* Modifying the 1961 high school building for leasing to businesses and organizations.

Visit www.ourpccf.org to learn more about the Pottawattamie County Community Foundation.