BY PAUL MITCHELLNorth Country This Week

CANTON – A group of Canton citizens feel an August 8 Summer Bash will be the perfect time to make their pitch for the development of a Canton Community Center.

Hosted by the Canton Recreation Department, the event will feature food vendors and family-oriented recreational activities from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Canton Pavilion and Bend in the River Park.

Also featured will be an informational table introducing the public to the Community Center concept and a signup sheet to welcome volunteers.

“This group of community members are very passionate about making our community better and providing more opportunities for our friends, family and neighbors. It is a wonderful feeling knowing that there is a group in our community who wants to help my department's mission from a different angle to provide more opportunities for every Canton resident,” stated Recreation Director Meghan Richardson who pointed out that this endeavor is exclusively led by community members.

The Summer Bash will celebrate the end of summer programming and will include bounce houses ($5 entry fee), lawn games, concessions, and a dunk tank with a six-person lineup. Purchase three balls for $5, eight balls for $10 or spend $20 to just hit the button to dunk Ryan Hughes, a Canton Recreation employee, Mayor Michael Dalton, Village Trustee Barbara Beekman, Town Supervisor Mary Ann Ashley, retired Canton Central School teacher and coach Mike Wentworth, and Randy Brown, town councilman, retired Canton Central teacher and coach.

All funds generated will directly support Canton Recreation summer programs.

The vision for a Community Center is shared by Canton residents Keri Caracciolo and Frank Palumbo who are looking to form a committee to begin raising money through donations, grants and fundraising events.

“I began this journey because I have an elderly parent whom I felt would benefit from a Senior Center for the social aspects but I also have a Down syndrome son and back in March our Down Syndrome group wanted to host a dance in honor of World Down syndrome Day and I realized we didn’t have a place in Canton for community events,” said Caracciolo. “So, the more I thought about it, the idea became more of a Community Center for all needs.”

“As I spoke to friends about this I learned I wasn’t the first with this idea and learned who preceded me in this much needed quest. One of those individuals who share my passion is Frank Palumbo. He and I have been advised that the best route to go is a 501c3, not for profit organization, but our first step is to gather those interested,” shd continued. 

The goal is once a Community Center Project committee is established, the group will begin the process of recruiting volunteers and raising money, soliciting support of friends, families and businesses. 

“Deciding what and where the location, building or addition will be, will be determined with the committee. The August 8 event allows us a venue to set up an informational table with sign up sheets for either becoming a committee member or a volunteer.” said Caracciolo.

Fellow community center advocate Palumbo is also pushing for community support.

“The concept has been recommended for several years and is now being analyzed as an endeavor that will be realized with the backing of families of the Canton community along with support of local businesses,” Palumbo remarked.

The vision of initiating a Community Center has been reinforced by materials received and conversations shared with coordinators of similar facilities in nearby North Country locations.  These have included Gouverneur, Potsdam, Heuvelton, Malone, Norwood, Waddington as well as Lake Luzerne’s Adirondack Folk School. Each of these communities has fashioned grounds and facilities to accommodate year-round activities for individuals of all ages. Athletics, concerts, learning seminars, seasonal markets, craft fairs, canoe weekends, meetings, and regional seminars are offered on a regular basis at these community centers, noted Palumbo.

“Canton’s committee is now seeking the support of interested individuals who are willing to meet on an upcoming date to discuss ideas to be set forth in a formal request for a 501c3 application through the New York State Charities Bureau. All steps taken will follow Bylaws and Policies determined by a Governing Board of local volunteers who are committed to successfully moving the Canton Community Center Project forward during the coming months,” he said.

The vision is to have the Canton Community Center receive funding accredited through donations, special events, and NYS grants. The monetary assistance realized through the committee’s efforts will consistently be applied to equipment purchases, presentations, or upcoming gatherings scheduled by way of members of the committee. Principal interests expressed at the initial meeting emphasized securing a highly suitable location, events planned for all seasons, facility times available for youth-adults-seniors-special needs, and ongoing community-wide support, according to Palumbo.  

Anyone interested in becoming actively involved in the Canton Community Center Project is asked to contact Caracciolo at 315-854-2480.