ADAMS -- Having now hired a consultant to manage the Adams Visitors Center and with construction plans to broaden the space in the works, officials and organizers are set to the task of growing the building into "a central place for activities in Adams."
Town native Carol Cain, a consultant hired by stipend to manage the center's volunteers, activities and community outreach, represents a major part of the initiative. Cain was hired two weeks ago, and is already beating the drum for potential volunteers to step up.
"I want this to be a fun place," Cain said. "If someone's looking for a place to meet a friend, or for some advice about town businesses and restaurants, or just somewhere to stop at off the [Ashuwillticook] Rail Trail, this is the place to do it. ... It's going to be a lively, exciting place."
The center's current hours are from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday, but Cain said she's looking for 10 to 20 volunteers -- preferably scheduled for two- to three-hour shifts -- to keep the center open and staffed every day of the week from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Town officials aim to have refurbishments at the center completed by September and the Council on Aging successfully moved in. The construction job, to be performed by Burke Construction, will entail tearing down a wall on the first floor, allowing the conference room to accommodate more people.
"We have big reuse plans for the center, and they're coming
Work is scheduled to begin on July 30. According to Butler, organizers would like the center's hours to be compromised as little as possible during construction. Butler said Cain's stipend is for $2,000 per month.
The town is also coordinating with the Thunderbolt Ski Runners to put together a Thunderbolt Ski Race-themed display to replace the current array in the room to the left of the main entrance, which has been unchanged since the center's opening.
Cain, on the other hand, is organizing a bulletin board advertising town events chronologically and menu packets for local restaurants, gearing the center towards being a general town information stop.
"People planning activities: Come post them here," Cain said. "We've already established a very cooperative relationship with town businesses."
The phone number at the center is 413-743-8356, and doors are always open during the above-mentioned hours, Cain said. Advertisements posted at the center seek a "people person" for volunteering slots.
"We want to emphasize business and outdoor activities specific to Adams," Cain said. "We're really trying to enhance things here."
To reach Phil Demers,
email pdemers@thetranscript.com.
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