OUR STORY

ROSE CITY AREA COMMUNITY CENTER

BACKGROUND

Back in the 1960s,  the decision was made to consolidate the West Branch and Rose City schools. A beautiful, new high school named Ogemaw Heights was built in farm fields between the cities. The elementaries and middle schools stayed in their respective communities. There were some conflicts along the way but the consolidation worked relatively well for many years, offering programs and opportunities that had not been available through the separate school systems. Eventually, when push came to shove financially, the West Branch Rose City Area Schools closed the beloved Rose City building that had been an integral part of our community. A loss of unity took place as some sent their children to schools in surrounding areas to avoid excessive time spent on a bus to West Branch. Others moved out of the area because they wanted to live close to their children’s school and wanted older siblings to be near younger ones. Still others chose to try home schooling and some even sent their children to the Charlton Heston Academy because they felt so betrayed by the WBRC Area Schools, they wanted nothing more to do with the school system. As a result of this fracturing and loss of population, the closure also contributed to the economic decline of our community. 

DEVELOPMENT

Since the closure in 2013, community members have dearly wanted to find the means to revitalize the school building and jump start the community. The undertaking was overwhelming because only the upper west end was operational. The vast majority of the school had been stripped of its heating system and left to “rot,” so to speak. But it did not rot and neither did the desire to develop something positive out of the wreckage. The current movement to restore the building was spearheaded by Kathy Curtis and a small group of community members with their dedication and perseverance, progress occurred.  

In 2024 the bond that taxpayers had been paying for the last 25 years, which included the addition of the lower, south end of the Rose City Middle School, was paid off and the building made available for sale. In June of 2024, contact was made with the superintendent of WBRC Area Schools to see if the city of Rose City could purchase the building. The school board agreed to sell the building for a nominal fee but the city mayor and council believed that the project would be too big for the city alone. A consortium was organized with the surrounding townships of Klacking, Cumming, Hill and Rose. A contract was drawn and approved by the city and townships, with each entity contributing $10,000 to begin the renovation project. A purchase agreement was signed on October 14, 2024. The closing was supposed to occur in April of 2025 but a delay with the attorney resulted in the closing moved to July 10, 2025. The Rose City Area Community Center became a reality… with a tremendous amount of work to be done and with very little money to do it. 

WORK AND MORE WORK

Besides the huge job of physically cleaning and making repairs where needed, a myriad of inspections and testing’s were required including: water, asbestos, mold, and structural soundness.  .)*  Fortunately, all testing and inspections have had good results. Recommendations have been followed and plans made for continued monitoring. Also fortunate: natural gas is available to the building, the city sewer system is in place and there is a fire door present between the north and south lower level building.  Another advantage to the project, which is extremely important to its success, is the Rose City Area Community Center board consists of highly competent and knowledgeable people with the connections needed to deal with the above requirements as well as whatever issues arise such as proper zoning, insurances and rental agreements. Volunteers excited for the revitalization of the building and the benefits it will bring to the community have been working hard to make the visions a reality. If work alone could make it happen, there would be no question of success. But money is the 2nd half of the success equation. Fund raising is underway and grant writing has begun. Similar projects in surrounding areas have been researched and studied. The RCACC board has developed a plan that realistically works toward success of the project. There are 3 phases of implementation based on what is currently available and a priority of immediate needs. 

PHASES FOR SUCCESS

PHASE ONE

The upper west end of the school is available for use. It includes the gymnasium with locker rooms and bleachers, the stage, the woodshop/garage, 4 usable classrooms, and the hallway restrooms. The goal of Phase One is to make what is available… profitable. Besides fundraisers and grant writing, steady money needs to be coming in to pay bills and to get to Phase Two. The sooner the community can start using what is available, the sooner revenue can be made to support desired activities; and the better for motivation and continued excitement for the expanded uses of Phase Two. Possible activities for Phase One include: meeting rooms; euchre and/or bingo tournaments; pickleball and other sports; exercising with walking and a weight room; and use of the stage for concerts or plays. A Rose City Carnival for kids has been discussed. Plans also are being discussed for the Phase One area to be used as a community emergency center. 

PHASE TWO

The top priority for immediate needs is the heating and plumbing for the south end of the lower level. The Ogemaw District Library and the Rose City Historical Society would like to move in as soon as possible. The presence of these two organizations would be great additions to the RCACC. Phase two  includes classrooms that can be rented by businesses and services; a kitchen and cafeteria that will provide a variety of community possibilities; and a music room as well. 

PHASE THREE

The north end of the original building will be blocked off and addressed after Phase Two is underway.