To the Editor:

For years, the idea of building a community center in our town has been tossed around like a ball at a pickup game — lots of energy, but never quite making it through the hoop. We’ve formed committees, hosted meetings, and shared dreams. And while that vision hasn’t changed, our urgency has. The time to act is now.

Naturally, the big questions still stand: Who will fund it? Where should it be? Can we repurpose an existing building? Is it even sustainable?

Until recently, most of us assumed we’d need to start from scratch. But after a recent conversation with Tao Smith, Karen Burns, and Mark Godomsky from Gould Academy, a new possibility emerged — one we hadn’t fully considered before: the Farnsworth Field House. According to Gould leadership, the Field House is a vastly underutilized asset, and even better, they’re open to collaborating on how it could be used more regularly for the broader community.

The truth is, Gould is already stepping up in meaningful ways. Their Field House and facilities currently support a wide range of community programs — senior walking in the winter, winter pickleball and tennis, the MKA afterschool program, Little League and Babe Ruth tryouts and games, Telstar High School basketball and baseball access (including use of the batting cages), Bethel Rec soccer on the turf field, and Maine West Project Play’s use of the weight room. This is more than goodwill — it’s proof of concept. It shows what’s possible when institutions and communities work together.

Imagine what that could mean if expanded: year-round walking, pickleball, basketball, climbing, turf sports, strength and conditioning, meeting rooms — the potential is massive. And unlike building something brand new, this space already exists. What if, together, we reimagined the Field House as a shared resource that serves not just students, but families, seniors, kids, and adults from all across the region?

For me, this is personal. I’ve spent my whole life in this community — playing, coaching, and cheering from the sidelines. Like many of you, I’ve wrestled with how to take this big dream and actually make it real. That’s why Wade Kavanaugh and I recently decided to join forces, combining our energy, ideas, and connections to finally push this vision forward.

We don’t have all the answers — but we believe it’s time to start asking the right questions, together. If we truly care about the health, happiness, and future of our kids, then this is a conversation worth having. Let’s stop wondering if it’s possible — and start figuring out how to make it happen.

For more information or if you have ideas or would like to contribute, please do not hesitate to contact us personally or via email at [email protected].

Michael Pelletier 

Wade Kavanaugh
Bethel