FARMINGTON – Crystal and watches are typical presents for those celebrating their 15 year anniversary.

But Foothills Arts Center is so proud of the relationship they’ve had with the community since 1989 that they may just splurge on something a little more special and a whole lot bigger.

Anne Geller, Foothills director, announced Thursday that the nonprofit community arts organization that has long been looking for a permanent home may have found one in the former medical offices of husband-wife team Dr. David Hurst and Dr. Melissa Weekley.

Located on Route 133 just a quarter mile from the intersection with routes 2 and 4, the two-story natural wood structure complete with a wall of glass windows on its south side sits on seven lush woodsy acres.

The asking price is $298,000, far less than the $1 million it would have cost to buy land and build a center, said Geller.

“We wanted to do as much as possible for the community with the least amount of expense to them. This location has a lot of potential.”

The land means there is room to grow and possibly build on a theater.

Not only would the new location meet a space need that has prevented more programming from being added to the organization’s calendar, but Geller hopes it would also offer a scientific discovery center.

Many science teachers in the area have to take their students as far away as Boston to find a discovery center.

The one in Foothills’ proposed home would be a space for children of all ages to play and learn hands-on about everything from cheese-making to river pollution, said Geller.

“This is going to be like a community events center in the broadest sense,” she said.

Granted, $298,000 is a lot for a nonprofit to raise, but Geller is optimistic and thinks the building and acreage is realistic for her organization.

Fund raising will begin almost immediately for the down payment to at least hold the building.

But first, Foothills wants to make sure the community supports the organization. On March 14, it will open up the proposed new home to the public and is asks for comments and suggestions as to whether it would be the right place to spend the next 15 years and then some.

The open house will not be a fund-raising event.

Geller hopes the community will respond, saying she’d rather have lots of small donations than five major ones. She said she wants to community members to feel involved with the project, whether they donate $5 or $5,000.

Other buyers have looked at the prime piece of real estate, but Geller is hopeful Foothills will win out. The couple who owns the building where their practice used to be are friends of Foothills, Geller noted.

“We are already talking about the building like it’s ours, and the way to make that happen is with community support,” she said. “So far, everybody we’ve talked to is just ‘Wow!'”

For more information about Foothills, contact Director Anne Geller at 778-0448 or [email protected] or visit Foothills on the Web at www.foothillsarts.org.

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