(Shenandoah) — About 60 Shenandoah area residents are working to shape the community’s future.
They’re members of so-called “dream teams” involved in the Vision Shenandoah initiative. Vision Shenandoah Executive Director Margaret Brady updated efforts at this week’s Shenandoah Chamber and Industry Association Annual Meeting and Ag Banquet. Comprised of residents representing a cross section of the community, Brady says each dream team has met at least twice. At least 12 residents are members of a dream team focusing on housing–which Vision Shenandoah identifies as one of the community’s needs. Brady says a future survey will help pinpoint the community’s housing needs.
“We have spearheaded our city council,” said Brady. “They are looking at doing a housing study and a community plan–something that definitely is going to give us some really good numbers to say, ‘this is where our housing is.’ The housing study will go to each house in town, sit in front of it, and give it a score–one to five. One is, it probably should fall down, or is falling down. Five is a brand new building. So, I’m excited to hear what those actual numbers are.”
Another team consisting of 11 members is exploring daycare opportunities. Brady says a survey is available to local child care users to determine what direction is needed in the way of daycare.
“We have a perception of where we are, but we need some hard numbers,” she said. “We know that there’s some areas that the daycare providers have already told us need some help. I’m really excited that the Essex daycare has joined our daycare dream team. I think that’s really good, because we’re looking for regional solutions, not just Shenandoah solutions.”
Recreation is another Vision Shenandoah priority. Eleven team members are charged with exploration options for a possible recreation center in the community. More than 900 people participating in a preliminary survey expressed the need for a recreation facility.
“Eighty-five percent said we need to look at building some kind of a community recreation facility,” said Brady. “I’m super-excited that the hospital, the school and the city are all on the table talking about how does that look, what’s going to make a good facility for everyone in the community, and how have we done it before that. The Lakin Foundation has given us some startups on a lot of these things, but we’re going to have to make it happen–and I know we’re up for the challenge.”
Other dream teams include tourism and events, downtown buildings, and grants and fundraising. Letters are being sent out to local individuals requesting donations for Vision Shenandoah’s operations. Approximately $130,000 of the $200,000 goal has been raised so far. More information on Vision Shenandoah is available from the organization’s website, VisionShenandoah.org or by calling 712-581-9004.
