EDITORIAL: Gateway campaign a success story
Once again, generosity was on full display in the Flathead Valley as an anonymous donor stepped forward to help finance the $2.4 million purchase of the Gateway West Mall building.
United Way, project facilitator for the Gateway Community Center that now houses 11 nonprofits in the former mall space, has been working for months to find a way to buy the building from American Capital Management so that the building can be a permanent home for local nonprofit organizations.
Gateway Community Center was a brilliant concept years ago when then-Flathead County Administrator Earl Bennett envisioned nonprofits sharing services and collaborating under one roof. His dream was realized in 2009, and since then community members, contractors and nonprofit leaders have poured their hearts and souls — and some $850,000 in materials and donations — into the 100,643-square-foot facility.
When American Capital tried to sell the building through an online auction earlier this year, many were worried another buyer could step in and take away what so many had worked so hard to achieve. Thankfully, United Way Director Sherry Stevens was tireless in her pursuit of securing the mall for nonprofit use.
Stevens had a lot of help in putting the deal together, she pointed out. She named a long list of businesses, nonprofits, private donors and others who rallied to make the deal happen, calling it “truly a miracle.”
Using the defunct mall as an umbrella center for nonprofit groups on the front line of delivering valuable services to those in need has always made so much sense. Many of these nonprofits struggle financially, so if they can operate in an affordable space with shared services, it benefits all of us.
Even though the real estate transaction has been completed by setting up the Westside Center for Community Change, a new nonprofit entity that will hold the asset of the mall apart from United Way’s assets, there is still much to be done with fundraising and the build-out of remaining space.
A Save the Gateway fundraising campaign will continue, with a plan to pay off the purchase price within five years. This will be a separate effort from United Way’s annual campaign that kicks off shortly to raise money that enables its member agencies to continue their missions.
In addition to local giving, volunteers will be needed to help build out more units for nonprofit groups. Call 752-7266 if you can help. Donations to Save the Gateway campaign may be mailed to P.O. Box 7684, Kalispell, MT 59904.
Gateway Community Center is here to stay, and the late Earl Bennett would be proud of everyone who has been involved.