Kim Becker is the director of the Central Kansas Dream Center. Sunday, the center marks its sixth anniversary, and, as it has for the past several years, it will open the building for tours so the public can see the work that has been completed, learn more about the ministries offered, and learn what’s coming up in the near future. Visitors are invited to come and go Sunday afternoon from 2-4 p.m. for guided tours that will showcase each level of the building.
The Dream Center was originally Roosevelt Junior High, but was closed in the early 1990s in part because it failed to meet requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act. With no elevator, it could not accommodate individuals unable to navigate stairs. When Becker opened the center, part of the vision was to renovate the third-floor auditorium so public events could be held there. That would require an elevator. A design and build plan was created and work began a few years ago. Earlier this summer, the new elevator passed its final inspection.
“For many years, we’ve had community members, many who used to attend school here years ago, really interested to see what we’ve been working on in the building, but they couldn’t because of the stairs,” Becker said. “We’re really excited to finally be able to share our progress with them this Sunday.”
Greeters will be located at the glass doors at the Hungry Hearts Soup Kitchen entrance on the east side of the center, and at the Daniel Trickey Memorial glass doors on the west side of the center. The south entrance on Broadway will be closed.
The east entrance is recommended for those who cannot do stairs, Becker said. A corridor provides access to the elevator from the basement level, so ever floor can be accessed.
During the tour, visitors will be able to view offices, an apartment representative of living quarters in for program participants, other public access rooms and bathrooms, the chapel area, and of course the auditorium space.
“We’ve had to put renovation of the auditorium on hold for the past few years with all our attention on finishing the elevator project,” Becker said. The staff and volunteers are preparing to finally begin work on this last major renovation in the coming months.
The guided tours will be led by staff members and graduates of the discipleship programs offered at the Dream Center. Refreshments including brownies and ice cream will be provided at tour’s end.
