Residents are being invited to help shape the future of the Northwest Community Center during a community engagement event later this month.
The gathering is part of ongoing discussions about the center’s operations, programming and long-term sustainability, according to a City of Arkansas City news release.
The event will be held from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. June 18 at the Northwest Community Center, 615 W. Birch Ave., and will focus on identifying ways to activate and sustain the facility through community partnerships, volunteer involvement and a new funding model.
The effort is part of an ongoing collaboration between the City of Arkansas City, the Northwest Community Center and Wichita State University’s Public Policy and Management Center.
Earlier this year, a steering committee made up of Northwest Community Center representatives, community members and city staff began meeting to discuss the center’s future and explore opportunities to support its continued success. To assist with the process, City Manager Randy Frazer reached out to Wichita State University’s Public Policy and Management Center for facilitation, planning expertise and community engagement support.
“The Northwest Community Center has served as an important gathering place for this community for many years,” Frazer said in the release. “As the center transitions to a volunteer-led model, we wanted to bring together community members, local partners, and experienced facilitators to help identify opportunities for the future. This event is an opportunity for residents to share ideas and help create a path forward that builds on the center’s strengths and supports its long-term sustainability.” Continue below ad.
Participants will be invited to discuss community needs, potential partnerships, volunteer opportunities, programming ideas and funding strategies that could help support the center moving forward.
Feedback gathered during the event will help inform future recommendations and planning efforts, according to the release.
Residents, neighbors, community organizations and anyone interested in the future of the Northwest Community Center are encouraged to attend.
