History of the C.R.A.F. Center

606 Lake Street PO Box 658 Roscommon, MI 48653
989-275-4975

Mon-Thurs 6am-10pm
Friday 6am-8pm
Saturday 9am-3pm
Saturday (Winter) 9am-6pm

989-275-4975

FAX 989-275-2105

Thank you
to a Caring
and Giving
Community!

In 1992 a group of people from the community organized to explore the fate of the "old middle school". This 43,000 square foot facility has served the community in many ways and very well. The original building is the two-story section on the northwest corner of the current facility. This portion was constructed in 1931 and served as a Kindergarten through 12th grade school and was called the Roscommon School. The previous school building was the Masonic Temple building across the street. The original building was added on to in 1935, 1954, and 1958 with the final addition completed in 1962.

In 1993 the Gerrish Higgins Board of Education entered into a purchase agreement with the Village of Roscommon for acquisition of the "old middle school". With the school boards approval the building was assigned to the Roscommon Metropolitan Recreational Authority (R.M.R.A.).

The last classes were in June of 1993 after which ownership was formally turned over to R.M.R.A. In the fall of 1993 the first Director of the facility was Katie Vanderlake with Jo Ann Tyler as her office support staff. Building and Grounds Manager was John Rosczyk who was also the chair of R.M.R.A. at the time. Earlier that summer the Roscommon Rotary Club and the Zonta Club contributed $35,000 and $15,000 respectfully to remodel, establish and equip the fitness center. The Higgins Lake -Roscommon Lions Club contributed funding to renovate both the men and women's locker rooms. For over 2 1/2 years the Camp Lehman trustee program through the Michigan Department of Corrections furnished an inexpensive work crew that completed a significant amount of the renovations throughout the facility .

Jo Ann Tyler proposed the acronym C.R.A.F. Center as the name of the facility based on the goals of the group to provide a facility that serves the community by offering a Center for Recreation, individual growth Activities, and Fitness activities. The group adopted this as the facility name. What started out as a fitness center and gymnasium has mushroomed to the present day to include: Kirtland Police Academy, Kirtland College Basketball teams, North Sport Physical Therapy, Crawford Roscommon Soil Conservation District office, Roscommon County Gypsy Moth Office, Top Notch Teen Center, Mikenauk Rock and Gem Club, Roscommon Area Art Guild and their Art Studio, C.O.O.R, ISD Transitional Training site, Dance Studio, enlarged fitness center, site of 4-H girls and boys basketball games, adult men's recreation, women's volleyball league, co-ed volleyball games, Circle Squares Dance site, G.S.A. and B.S.A. meeting site, soccer meeting site, ...and many other activities including a fine rental facility for large and small parties and gatherings. A portion of the building has been deeded to Roscommon County for expansion of County facilities including: County Commissioners, Probation Officers, Housing Commission, MSU Extension, Second Chance Academy and a Juvenile Detention Center. The added gazebo on the front lawn serves as the center of the Art Festival, Freedom Festival, Christmas in the Village as well as offering a fine free concert series throughout the summer. The C.R.A.F. acronym certainly exceeded its expectations when the group adopted it in the spring of 1993.

The building is still owned and operated by R.M.R.A. with Marlyn Byrd serving as the Manager. Our annual budget is $130,000 and since 1999 our income has equaled or exceeded our expenses. The hot water heating system has been replaced, a major portion of the roof recovered, some windows replaced, some walls insulated and the gymnasium floor completely refinished. Trustees from the County Jail are utilized to handle custodial, minor maintenance and lawn care.

This facility serves over 150 people average count on a daily basis for over 300 days a year. The C.R.A.F Center is truly a remarkable accomplishment and reflects a tremendous spirit of cooperation between governmental units, schools, businesses, service organizations, foundations and individuals. Many individuals and service groups were instrumental in the success of this facility and there are a number who are recognized on the Wall of Honor. However, there are an even larger number of individuals and businesses that have contributed and continue their support without whom the C.R.A.F. Center would not exist.

One would be remiss in not mentioning Mary Loughray who made the largest individual financial contribution to the C.R.A.F. Center to establish and preserve the Enrichment Center, which represents the original 1931 building. Mary made a marvelous donation in the memory of her husband Woodrow "Woody" Loughray, whose spirit still remains with us. Also, a thank you is in order to the Gerrish-Higgins Alumni Committee, which has sort of adopted us. They hold a special fondness for the "old building" where so many alumni attended and use us for their meetings and Annual Alumni Gathering.

Thank you to a Caring and Giving Community.