“This doubles every dollar the community gives,” Community Center Director Barb Reisner said. “We hope area residents and business leaders see the value in the museum and join in our efforts to reach our goal.”

More than 120 community members who took part in the open house tour of the renovated historic building helped to raise an additional $100,000 towards the campaign.

“With the community’s help, this matching challenge will not only celebrate how far we’ve come, but also help us complete the remaining projects,” said board member and business entrepreneur Jerry Novickis, who made the announcement.

Novickis not only stressed the value of the facility, but the opportunities it will provide to not only children, but all ages.

A local family foundation has pledged to match up to $300,000 in donations made to the Imagination Factory Community Center’s Capital Campaign through Dec. 1. (Terri Castelaz/Daily News photo)

Reisner was “fired up” to hear the positive comments from guests about the upgrades to the former school.

“People, especially those who attended classes and walked in these very halls, loved that we preserved the building instead of tearing it down,” Reisner said. “It means so much to those who went to school here.”

The center will prioritize programs that promote fitness, teamwork and mental health, said co-Director Jonathan Ringel, executive director of the YMCA.

“Educating youth and their families about healthy living is a top priority,” Ringel said. “By encouraging healthy choices, we can improve both mental and physical well-being while teaching discipline and teamwork.”

Board President John Estes praised the extraordinary teamwork that has gone into the project and the support of the Iron Mountain Public School District.

“The work ethic and talents of so many people are contributing to an unbelievable transformation of this vacant building into a vibrant, safe place where everyone belongs,” Estes said.

Noting the success of the Imagination Factory Children’s Museum, Estes said they look to build on that at the new location.

The Imagination Factory Children’s Museum opened at 217 W. Hughitt St. in September 2021. Four years later, construction planning and renovation began on the new community center next door. The space will expand from 3,000 to 50,000 square feet.

“It’s hard to believe it started from a dream and we have arrived at this point,” Ringel said.

When campaign goals are met and renovations are complete, they will announce the closing date for the children’s museum, along with the grand opening date of the new Imagination Factory Community Center.

The non-profit organization remains committed to providing a place where everyone belongs.

Online donations can be made on website or mailed to P.O. Box 906, Iron Mountain MI 49801.

For more information, go to imaginationfactory.us or the Imagination Factory Facebook page.

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Terri Castelaz can be reached at 906-774-2772, ext. 85241, or tcastelaz@ironmountaindailynews.com.