OGDENSBURG — Backed by $10.8 million in state funding, United Helpers plans to transform the former Pythian Beach property into a 30,000-square-foot community center that blends recreation, social services and business opportunities under one roof.
The Open Arms Community Center will be built just outside the Ogdensburg city limits in the town of Oswegatchie, and is intended to offer entertainment, educational space and support services for underserved residents.
Family fun and services
Ropes courses, an indoor pool, an inflatable water park, a bounce house, sports courts and a beach area will provide activities for families of all ages — but that’s only part of the plan.
United Helpers CEO Todd Amo said the center will also serve as a hub for county services. He hopes satellite offices for the Youth Bureau, Office for the Aging, and Chamber of Commerce will eventually operate on-site.
Amo also envisions space for education and meal programs. While planning is still underway, he said the goal is to create a flexible space that community partners can help shape.
“It’s not a typical community center. I think it’s going to be one of a kind,” he said.
The project aims to offer affordable activities and easier access to services for St. Lawrence County residents. The size of the facility also leaves room for additional partners to join United Helpers’ vision, Amo said.
The state award, he added, is “a blessing.”
“I personally thank God and the government for the opportunity to build this thing out and give the community what it needs,” Amo said. “This has been a passion of mine since 1995.”
Community focus
Amo said he expects the project’s scope to grow, noting that he has already spoken with a company interested in offering scuba diving programs and anticipates more partners will join. Still, he said the Open Arms complex remains the centerpiece.
He described the future center as a destination for residents of all ages and income levels. During a press event Monday, United Helpers officials emphasized that United Helpers Inc. — a nonprofit — is the grant recipient and that the project is intended first and foremost as a community benefit.
“The goal is that the family that doesn’t usually take a vacation to Florida, or outside the area, eventually will be able to come to the Open Arms Community Center and have a great time,” Amo said.
Amo said that his hope is that the Merganser Bay project will be something that continues to grow long after he’s gone.
Dozens of letters of support came from county and city officials, mayors, town supervisors, health-care CEOs, and college and school administrators, all calling the project a boost for the region.
“Projects such as Open Arms Community Center show that the organization is continuing to evolve and do whatever it takes to serve its community and help those in need,” Waddington Mayor Michael Zagrobelny wrote in his support letter.
“I am particularly excited about the establishment of a community center that would provide opportunity for individuals of all ages and socioeconomic backgrounds. Too often our community projects alienate rather than unify. This project will unify communities in person to build stronger communities,” he wrote.
SUNY Potsdam President Suzanne Smith said the project is a boon for the North Country.
“This proposed facility is far more than a community center; it’s a vision for the future of St. Lawrence County that reflects the values we hold deeply at SUNY Potsdam — connection, belonging, service and opportunity,” she wrote. “With programming designed to support residents of all ages and backgrounds, the Open Arms Community Center represents a transformational investment in the health and vitality of our region.”
Timeline and jobs
A timeline for construction is still uncertain, but Amo said that once planning and engineering are complete, construction should take 18 months to two years. The project is expected to generate numerous construction jobs, with fewer than 10 permanent positions initially. Amo said staffing could grow to 30 or more as the center expands.
“We are prepared to start as soon as possible. The land is ready,” he said.
More details will be released as planning advances, Amo said, noting that the project is moving from vision to reality — something he described as a dream come true.
United Helpers’ grant is one of 30 awards totaling $100 million through the state’s Building Recreational Infrastructure for Communities, Kids and Seniors, or NY BRICKS, capital grant program. The grants support municipalities and nonprofits in building or renovating community centers that promote physical health, mental well-being and community connections for youth and older adults, according to the governor’s office.
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