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For nearly two decades, The Nick has been a place where our community gathers, plays, and grows. As a nonprofit committed to providing recreational facilities to meet the needs of the greater Wolfeboro community and surrounding towns, we’re excited to share our vision for the future – an indoor facility that will transform The Nick into a year-round hub for sports, wellness, and social connection.
If we raise the remaining funds needed for construction by December 31, 2024, we will break ground the following spring, putting us on track to open our doors to the public in 2026.
Less time spent traveling to programs and facilities not offered locally = more time for leisure, friends, and family.
More local programs and free-play options can foster friendships, decrease screen time, and curb the use of substances for entertainment.
Open up space for new and exciting programs not currently offered locally.
Give instructors and coaches a place to expand or start a program.
With sporting options no longer limited by the season, players can keep their hard-earned skills sharp year round.
Make it easier to exercise, socialize, and learn new skills - alone, with friends, or as a family.
The Nick’s mission is to meet local unsupported recreational needs to enrich our community’s present and future quality of life. The Nick does this by planning, constructing and overseeing recreational facilities as exemplified by The Nick, which it will manage in perpetuity to all throughout the Lakes Region.
As a nonprofit we receive no money from taxpayers. Our park runs on the generous donations of our community members.
Today we’re asking for your help to complete our fundraising goal. We are so close to the finish line, but one million dollars is not insignificant. A donation of any size will help bring this project to life, securing this valuable community resource for generations to come.
*As of November 2024
Computer rendering of the new facility pictured.
Q: WHY IS THE NICK CONSIDERING AN INDOOR FACILITY?
A: As an organization committed to providing space for our community to recreate we stay privy to the recreational needs in our surrounding communities. In 2019 our board began looking into the feasibility of building an indoor recreational facility to meet the overdue need in our community for indoor recreation and gathering space.
We conducted a community survey, sent to 7,267 local and seasonal residents, to gauge the interest in a multi-use indoor recreational facility. Results revealed that a local indoor space to recreate in the winter was the TOP priority of our community. We heard the need and began brainstorming.
Q: WHAT WILL THE NEW FACILITY SUPPORT?
A: It will provide our community’s schools, municipalities, non-profits, sports leagues, and businesses with the space to grow their existing programs and services and make their programs year-round instead of being limited to outdoor/warm season offerings only.
Some examples of possible offerings are as follows:
Q: WHAT INDOOR FACILITIES DOES WOLFEBORO CURRENTLY HAVE?
A: Kingswood Regional High School and Middle School basketball court (limited hours), Carpenter Elementary School gymnasium (limited hours), Brewster Academy track and weight room (for a fee, limited hours), and the Pop Whalen Ice Arena and Arts Center (for a fee, limited hours). Despite these facilities, many families still must regularly commute out of town for practices.
Q: WHY CAN’T RESIDENTS USE THESE FACILITIES? IS THERE A NEED FOR ANOTHER INDOOR FACILITY?
A: Although our local schools do have gyms, weight rooms, and basketball courts, these spaces are used by the students during the school day, after school, and on Saturdays for school sports and activities, leaving little to no time for public use or youth sports programs.
The exception is Brewster’s track and weight room, which is only open on weekday mornings, September through May, from 6 am to 10 am. It is closed from June through August and requires a membership. Although Brewster accommodates those who can afford membership fees and can get to the gym in the morning, it does not meet the needs of those who have children, work, or cannot afford the fees.
The Pop Whalen Ice Arena and Arts Center, though a wonderful community resource, is used exclusively for hockey, skating, and curling September through April, during the winter months when our community needs indoor space the most for non-ice related sports and activities.
Although some can travel out of town to participate in various programs and activities, or purchase at-home fitness equipment, most don’t have the time or resources. As a result, during the winter months, thousands of children, adults, and seniors go days and even weeks without participating in programs and activities that would benefit their mental and physical health.
Q: IS THE NICK PLANNING ON TRYING TO SATISFY THE SAME NEED AS THE WOLFEBORO PICKLEBALL ASSOCIATION?
A: The Nick’s new indoor facility is being designed to meet a wide variety of recreational needs for the entire community. While the local pickleball club’s proposed facility appears to focus on serving the specific needs of dedicated pickleball players, including competitive play and tournaments, The Nick’s facility will offer opportunities for casual pickleball as part of a broader range of activities. Our goal is to create a multi-use space that fosters inclusive recreation and supports a diverse set of interests across all age groups.
Q: WHERE WOULD AN INDOOR FACILITY GO?
A: The building will be located to the right of Thayer Field, easily accessible from our parking lot.
Q: WHAT WILL BE INSIDE THE BUILDING?
A: The building will include the following:
Q: HOW BIG WILL THE NEW BUILDING BE?
A: Current Design*: The new building is designed to be 200’ long by 125’ wide, with 33,500 sq ft of indoor space.
Q: WHERE WILL THE TRACK BE?
A: The track will be suspended around the indoor perimeter of the building, above the playing area. This will free up court space below, enhance safety, and decrease noise levels for participants on either level.
Q: WILL THE NEW BUILDING INCLUDE A POOL?
A: We have not included a pool in our project design.
Q: WILL THE NEW FACILITY BE WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE?
A: Yes! We have ensured our new indoor facility will be wheelchair accessible, including entrance ramps and an elevator to the suspended track in our design. Additionally, the building will be placed close to the parking lot, which we will pave, creating even more convenient access for all.
Q: HOW MANY TIMES AROUND THE INDOOR TRACK WILL EQUAL 1-MILE?
A: Current design*: 10 laps around the track will be equal to 1-mile.
Q: WHAT SPORTS WILL THE NEW BUILDING ACCOMMODATE?
A: Current design*: Track, pickleball, tennis, volleyball, basketball (Middle-school size court), and indoor field sports (lacrosse, soccer, and field hockey). There is also potential to have batting cages and pitching areas for baseball and softball.
Q: WHAT SURFACE MATERIALS WILL BE USED?
A: Current design*: The multi-sports playing area (the entire ground floor) will utilize a multi-purpose sport flooring to accommodate multiple types of sports. The track will be constructed from a material more specific for track use. At this time we will not have roll-up turf as an option, but it is something we may consider adding in the future.
Q: WHEN WILL THE NEW FACILITY BE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC?
A: The Nick hopes to open the doors to its new indoor facility before snowfall of 2026. In order to accomplish this, we must reach 100% of our fundraising goal. Though this reflects the timeline supplied by our engineering team, we cannot guarantee this open date, as the open date is subject to construction progress.
Q: WHAT HOURS WILL THE NEW FACILITY BE OPEN?
A: To Be Determined. While our outdoor park is only open to the public daily from dawn to dusk, (except during a private event or function), the indoor facility will require staff members and have set operating hours. Additionally, there will be times when the facility will need to be closed to the public (ex. During a scheduled cleaning or private event)
Q: WILL THE NICK CHARGE LEAGUES TO USE THE NEW FACILITY, AND WHY?
A: Yes, since we are not funded by taxpayers, maintenance and improvements to the park facilities are supported through annual donations from individuals and businesses, grant funding, and contributions collected from those who regularly use The Nick. This has helped support our outdoor facility and will now help support our indoor facility.
Q: WILL I BE ABLE TO RENT THE NEW FACILITY FOR PRIVATE EVENTS?
A: Yes, similar to our outdoor facility, if someone is interested in hosting a birthday party, family reunion, conference, wedding, or other private event they can request private use of our facility. All facility rentals are subject to approval by Nick management.
Q: WILL THERE BE A FEE TO USE THE INDOOR FACILITY?
A: Similar to our outdoor facility there will be a minimal fee associated with reserving space inside the new facility for a program, activity, event or private gatherings.
While we have not formalized the details or schedule, it is our intention to set times when our indoor facility is open to the public free of charge.
As with our current outdoor facility, if you are an organized sports group, organization, or individual looking to host an event or schedule field space, you will be required to provide an insurance certificate, sign a contract, and pay a user fee.
Q: I’M INTERESTED IN RUNNING A PROGRAM OR TEAM AT THE NICK. HOW DO I GET INVOLVED?
A: Great! We love helping local programs expand, and providing space for new programs to form. If you are interested in hosting a program, camp, or event at The Nick, please reach out to our Director of Operations and Facilities: Jay Oulette (jay@thenick.org). You don’t need to wait for the building to open! We encourage those interested in using our indoor facility to make us aware of their interest in using the new facility so we can use that information to plan.
Q: HOW DOES AN INDIVIDUAL OR SMALL GROUP RESERVE SPACE TO PLAY IN THE NEW FACILITY?
A: We will be implementing new scheduling software that will allow reservations to be made online. The exact details of reservations have not yet been finalized.
Q: WILL SCHOLARSHIPS BE AVAILABLE FOR YOUTH PROGRAMMING?
A: YES! Our Youth Assistance Scholarship Program (YAP) ensures that every child who wishes to play a team sport at The Nick has the opportunity, regardless of financial resources. This program currently covers player registration fees for baseball, softball, soccer, lacrosse, field hockey, flag football, and track and field. It also covers the cost of equipment, such as cleats, helmets, gloves, uniforms, mouth guards, etc., for those who apply for equipment assistance.
Last year we granted over 50 scholarships to children who would have otherwise been denied the opportunity to play a sport. With the new indoor facility, we will not only be able to accommodate teams in the winter months, but will open up many new programmatic opportunities, from court sports and indoor field practices, to new programs such as martial arts, yoga, and non-sport activities. Once up and running, we hope to double the number of scholarships awarded to our community’s youth!
(Scholarships are distributed to qualifying families on a first-come, first-served basis. To build our YAP Endowment Fund and cover the annual costs associated with YAP, we raise between $5,000 and $10,000 each year. Since the implementation of YAP in 2010, we have been able to provide scholarships to every child whose family requested assistance. )
Q: WILL DOGS BE ALLOWED IN THE INDOOR FACILITY?
A: ONLY service dogs will be allowed inside.
Q: HOW MUCH WILL THIS PROJECT COST AND HOW FAR ALONG IS THE FUNDRAISING?
A: The project cost is $10 Million, with $9M for construction and $1M for an operational endowment. To date we have already raised $9,000,000 leaving only $1,000,000 more to go! We hope to raise this by the end of 2024 so we can break ground in the spring of 2025 and stay on track for opening in 2026. This is why we need your help now!
Q: WHY DOES NICK NEED DONATIONS?
A: As a non-profit organization, The Nick is not funded by taxpayer dollars and does not receive money through the Town of Wolfeboro. We rely on the generosity of our dedicated supporters and local businesses to operate and continually improve our facility.
Q: WILL THERE BE NAMING OPPORTUNITIES IN THE NEW FACILITY?
A: YES! Naming opportunities are available. We encourage those interested in learning about naming opportunities to schedule a meeting with our Executive Director, Holly Williams Aucoin.
The easiest way to help is by donating to the campaign. Spreading the word is also a cost-free way of bringing awareness to our community, potentially increasing the support we receive. We encourage you to share this webpage however you wish.
Together we can raise the final $1 million and break ground in the spring!
*The design of the new facility is mostly complete; however, the final details and specifications will not be fully finalized until we raise all required funds and give the engineering team our approval. We need to remain flexible and cannot state specifications with 100% certainty. If we do not reach 100% of our fundraising goal we may need to make changes to lower the cost of construction.
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The Nicholas J. Pernokas Recreation Park | 10 Trottiing Track Road, Wolfeboro, NH 03894