WILTON – Representatives of at least 10 commissions, organizations and business held an open house at the Second Congregational Church Parish House, 25 Gregg St., on Jan. 20 to celebrate the opening of the Wilton Collaborative Space. Several dozen residents stopped in, sampled a variety of treats, listened to live music, and learned what will be offered in the space over the next few months.

Library Director Pat Fickett served as hostess.

“This is a project to help the whole town,” she said. When the library conducted a survey of town needs, “everybody said we need a community space. There is no place in Wilton for programs. The Library also needs space for our programs.”

The grant, obtained by the Wilton Public/ Gregg Free Library through the N.H. State Library and the Institute of Museum and Library Services, required community participation, Fickett said, so she started looking. She found the needed space by renting the Parish House which has a commercial kitchen and a stage.

The grant covers costs through the end of July, she said, and voters at Town Meeting will be asked to fund the remainder of the year.

What will happen next year will depend on the success of the venture.

The grant covers the cost of a program coordinator, Sandy Lafleur, who active with the Community Center and other groups..

Participating groups in Addition to the library, include Wilton Main Street, Heritage Commission, Conservation Commission, Wilton Community Center, Andy’s Summer Playhouse, Wilton House of Pizza, and L.A. Limo.

It also has the support of the Board of Selectmen, represented at the event by Selectman Kermit Williams.

One of the programs planned is Coffee and Conversation, community get-togethers on Tuesday mornings at 10 a.m. L.A. Limo will provide free rides from Edgewater Senior Housing. Refreshments will be provided.

The Heritage Commission, Conservation Commission and Historical Society are planning programs in the near future.

The Conservation Commission display included a selection of dramatic photographs by member Bart Hunter.

The Library is moving some of its programs, including the Science Club and after-school programs into the larger space.

Yoga classes and a self-protection class are planned. The Folk Café will return in the spring.

Lafleur said her focus is “making all this work. It’s nice to have this opportunity.”

Other organizations and businesses are welcome to join in. “We need to engage the downtown. This is a pilot project,” Lafleur said. “Let’s make it fun.”

For information, contact the library.