A Community Center for Oskaloosa, Kansas was the dream of a small group of people beginning in 2003. Availability of grants from the state of Kansas were a possibility for funding of a building with a 40% match by the local community. Volunteers were solicited, and a community meeting was held, but the kinds of responses the State was seeking were not available at that time. Over time enthusiasm for the project waned. In July 2005 another small group began meeting, building upon the work of the original group. A community assessment was conducted to determine the community’s interest in the project and what kinds of activities/facilities were needed. Additional meetings with the State, a commitment of the City of Oskaloosa to serve as the fiscal agent, Incorporation as a 501(c)(3) organization, and beginning fundraising activities have been accomplished. Since that time, the Oskaloosa Community Center has been renamed The Center Place to better illustrate the purpose of the facility for residents in Jefferson County.

The Little Red Barn
On February 18, 2010, The Center Place had a formal ribbon-cutting ceremony for its renovated meeting facility, The Little Red Barn, near the corner of Washington and Liberty in Oskaloosa. The Little Red Barn renovation was the result of hundreds of volunteer hours and contributions by the board and friends of The Center Place.  The Center Place’s Little Red Barn was available for use by area residents beginning February 19, 2010. 

A model of the future community building can be found on the homepage by clicking here.

Former Grocery Store and Residence Makes Way for Community Center

On February 7, 2007, one of the structures on the future site of the Oskaloosa Community Center was skillfully brought down in a shower of brick, dust, shingles, and splintered wood by Mike Miller of Miller Excavation. With help from S.M. Ball Waste Disposal Service company, the demolition took less than a day to complete and is another step toward making the Community Center a reality. The building, recently bought by Brad Hammel, had been unoccupied for some time. Local residents recall that it once served as a grocery store. The cleared lot, along with Brad Hammel’s property on the corner of Liberty and Washington, will be the location of the Oskaloosa Community Center. As planning for the Center moves forward, donations in any amount will contribute to the completion of the project. To make donations or for more information on the Community Center, please contact Board President Linda Loving at (785) 863-2398.