When I served on the Minnetrista city council in 2020 we funded the Gillespie Center to the tune of about $36,000 per year. It seemed a small price to pay for our residents to have access to an event venue, senior center and all the other community offerings available there. When that contract expired a few years ago the funding from Minnetrista, as well as funding from other nearby municipalities stopped. Rumors of mismanagement and financial problems swirled and the future of the center appeared uncertain.

But recently new life has been given to the center after establishing a new board of directors and appointing competent staff. The center is thriving under new management, on solid footing financially and offering programs and services all the surrounding communities can enjoy.

Other surrounding cities are kicking in money again as they value the Gillespie Center and what it offers their residents. The city of Minnetrista, however, has not yet for some reason, despite appointing a council member to the Gillespie board who, it appears, was instrumental in its turnaround.

The Gillespie Center is asking Minnetrista to fund them again at just $10,000 per year. With a city population of close to 10,000 that equates to just $1 per person each year.

The following letter to the editor of The Laker Pioneer newspaper was sent today and I encourage readers to contact their city council members (emails below) to ask them to support this vital community resource at such a nominal cost.

To the Editor,

I am writing to urge the City of Minnetrista to allocate an annual contribution of $10,000 to the Gillespie Center in Mound—a vital community resource that serves our residents, especially seniors, in invaluable ways.

With Minnetrista’s population nearing 10,000, this proposed contribution amounts to just $1 per resident per year. It’s a modest investment with an extraordinary return: continued access to critical programs and services for more than 2,200 seniors in our city who might otherwise have nowhere to go.

The Gillespie Center offers far more than a place to gather. It provides enriching programs like Yoga, Tai Chi, Tax Counseling, and walking clubs—activities that promote health, community, and independence. These services aren’t just for seniors either; the center is a vibrant hub for all ages, supporting mental, physical, and social well-being.

Moreover, the Center doubles as a venue for public and private events, offering meeting rooms and gathering spaces that bring our broader community together.

Maintaining the Gillespie Center through shared funding with neighboring cities ensures that Minnetrista residents continue to benefit from local access to essential services—without the burden of traveling long distances.

Supporting the Gillespie Center with a $10,000 annual contribution is not just the right thing to do—it’s the smart thing to do. Let’s make a clear statement that Minnetrista values its residents, young and old, and the community spaces that serve them.

Sincerely,
Shannon Bruce
Minnetrista Resident

Minnetrista City Council Members

Lisa Whalen (Mayor): lwhalen@ci.minnetrista.mn.us
Brian Govern: bgovern@ci.minnetrista.mn.us
Cathleen Reffkin: creffkin@ci.minnetrista.mn.us
Peter Vickery: pvickery@ci.minnetrista.mn.us
Claudia Lacy: clacy@ci.minnetrista.mn.us