The city may have changed its tune on a proposed nature-based pre-school at the Ansonia Nature Center.
Last year, the Board of Aldermen wouldn’t support the proposal, saying it was concerned the program would result in hidden costs for the city that would be impossible to manage in a tough budget cycle.
Now, however, the Board of Aldermen has drafted a new agreement that supports the pre-school program’s launch.
What Changed?
Funding.
That’s what Nature Center leaders suspect prompted the turn-around.
When the proposal first came before the Board of Aldermen last spring, the nature center was sitting on a $25,000 state grant.
Without the city’s blessing, the nature center used the state money toward other projects — such as signs and landscaping.
In November, the Friends of the Ansonia Nature Center received another grant — this time for $40,000 from the Community Foundation For Greater New Haven. The money is designated for the pre-school program.
“I think that opened their eyes a little bit, because we had something up front to work with,” said Rich Wade, the president of the Friends of the Ansonia Nature Center.
Lease Offer
Last spring, the city had offered the Friends of the Nature Center to lease the building for $1 a year, as long as it took over all the maintenance and utility costs associated with it, and assumed liability for the property.
The group turned down the offer.
“It would be ridiculous to assume a volunteer organization could run the building,” Ansonia Nature Center director Donna Lindgren said during that meeting in May. “The entire park is a liability to the city of Ansonia, as are all the parks in the city.”
City Side
When asked why the city has changed its position, Board of Aldermen President Stephen Blume said it hasn’t.
Blume said the new agreement, which is being worked on by city counsel Kevin Blake and the Friends of the Ansonia Nature Center, will accept the pre-school program without adding expenses or requirements for the city.
The new proposal allows the Friends to lease the building for $1 a year, but leaves city maintenance such as plowing and garbage pick-up on the city’s shoulders.
“We’re not taking over liability,” Blume said. “We will continue to do exactly what we’re doing now. No more. No less.”
An attorney for the Friends of the Ansonia Nature Center is currently reviewing the agreement, and Wade said the Friends hope to come back to the Board of Aldermen in February or March to finalize the plans in time to start the pre-school in September 2011.
Wade said the Friends are looking to make sure the city will still be on the hook for building maintenance under the agreement. But the Nature Center is willing to take up additional insurance to host the pre-school.
“I hope it works out,” Blume said.
Costs
Lindgren said the $40,000 grant, along with funds raised by the Friends of the Ansonia Nature Center, will help furnish the building and get the playground established.
The first year of operation is estimated at about $150,000, and nature center leaders hope to make up the difference with tuition charged for the pre-school.
“Hopefully, the tuition will pay for the balance of the year,” Lindgren said.
The Plan
The group has created a business plan for the nature-based pre-school, and hopes to attract 18 to 20 children ages 3 and 4.
The pre-school would have science-based curriculum, and use the grounds of the Nature Center and the Redwing Pond House as its classroom.
Wade said the Friends have advertised for a full-time director for the pre-school, and received about 25 applications.
The Friends of the Ansonia Nature Center built the Redwing Pond House with the specific intent of one day hosting a nature pre-school there, Wade said.
“We feel like our dream is coming true now,” Wade said. “Hopefully we’ll have an agreement soon to move forward.”
