The Future of Ferndale’s Kulick Center Up for Discussion
(Crystal A. Proxmire, Nov. 13, 2018)
Ferndale, MI – What is the future of Ferndale’s Gerry Kulick Community Center?   That’s what will be discussed by a panel of ten residents who are expected to be approved for the Kulick Center Task Force.
The center, located at 1201 Livernois, is 90 years old and facing significant expenses including a new roof, a new boiler, and new windows. Members of the task force will hear about the building’s maintenance needs, and give recommendations for how the city should move forward.  The building could be repaired, or torn down for a new center to be constructed.
Ferndale City Council is expected to vote Nov. 13 to approve the appointment of members to the task force:
Lori Davis
Linda Schnieder
Erin Molnar
Amy Meyersieck
Judy Eliyas
Mary Riegle
Kristy Hudson
Dale Vigliarolo
Sarah Elturk
Michael Mead
If approved, the first meeting of the task force will be Monday, November 19, 6:00pm to 7:30pm at the Kulick Center.  There will be several meetings between November and February and recommendations from the group will be shared with City Council in February.
Their specific tasks are:
Review and discuss the needs assessment of the current building and future needs that have been identified by the City’s Park and Recreation Master Plan and the Master Land Use Plan
Gain understanding of the challenges of the financial impacts on the City’s current and future budgets and financial implication on the potential committee recommendations
Make a formal recommendation as it relates to the outcome and funding mechanisms for the Community Center
Attend and actively participate in a series of meetings; our goal is to keep it to no more than six meetings from November to February.
To be an advocate and information gatherer with your friends and neighbors as we go down the road of determining the direction of this building or future buildings
To provide honest and critical feedback in our final recommendations to City Council
According to the staff introduction to the agenda item, “Council provided a list of names of our residents that are a mix of families with children, singles, seniors and those without children to focus on a cross representation of users.”
The center currently has indoor and outdoor basketball courts, several meeting/class rooms, a kitchen and dining room, and a wing that hosts the Boys and Girls Club of Oakland and Macomb Counties.  Lean more about the center at https://www.ferndalemi.gov/services/kulick-community-center