WILTON – The Collaborative Space at the Second Congregational Church Parish House opened last year as a pilot program, an idea funded by a grant through the Wilton Public/Gregg Free Library. That first experimental year met or exceeded expectations, attracting a wide variety of programs and sponsors.

Administration of the project has been assumed by the Wilton Community Center as of Jan. 1.

That original grant, through the N.H. State Library and the Institute of Museum and Library Services, was written former Library Director Pat Fickett and covered January through July 2022.The state extended the grant through September, and an article in the town warrant covered the remainder of the year.

The town’s Budget Committee has agreed to continuing town support through 2023, and the church has signed a rental agreement dependent on its passing at town meeting.

Program Director Sandy Lafleur will continue in that position with the Community Center.

Lafleur said, “While in existence for many years as an entity, the Wilton Community Center has longed for a physical space to host its many programs and that has now become a reality.”

The Church Parish Hall includes a large meeting room with a stage, a commercial kitchen, plenty of on-site parking, and is handicapped accessible.

“Many varied programs were held there last year,” Lafleur said, “and there is a lot more planned for 2023.”

Those past programs (some of which are on-gong) included yoga, meditation, an Ancient Greek class, photography, wildlife programs, Caregivers’ Drop-in, The Folk Café Coffee House, jelly making, Project Linus, pickle making, Pi Night, a harvest supper, Community Potluck meals, crafts of various kinds, Emergency Preparedness, and self-defense classes.

The Folk Café is now also managed by the Community Center with the generous support of the Main Street Association, Lafleur said.

Refreshments have been provided by the Friends of the Library.

The Wilton Community Center is a registered 501 (c) 3 organization. Contributions of the Center are tax deductible. Their mission is to provide educational, cultural, and social programs for the community.

Lafleur said, “The Community Center is grateful to the Wilton Public/Gregg Free Library staff and Board of Trustees, the Second Congregational Church, The Town of Wilton, and the Wilton voters for all of the support received for this project which will serve to educate, inform, connect, and strengthen our community.”

More about the Center and the Collaborative Space can be found on the Community Center Facebook Page: www.wiltoncommunity

center,org.