WHEELWRIGHT, Ky. (WYMT) – A community outreach in Floyd County is closing the book on its final chapter in the Wheelwright community.
The Wheelwright Renaissance Center opened its doors 12 years ago, with a mission to give back to the area.
“They needed a library, but they needed more. So we started implementing other things,” said Sam Little, Director of the Wheelwright Historical Society.
Little began building upon the library model, quickly creating a new space for the community. The center became a library, afterschool gaming program, community outreach space, and local historic society. And during the last year, the space has been a safe haven for AA and NA meetings in the area.
“The less fortunate, if you will, that doesn’t feel like they have a place to be connected because they’re judged,” said board member and librarian Chad Little.
The facility has worked with other outreaches over the years, partnering with Christian Appalachian Project and others to give resources to those in need. Sam Little said he has seen hundreds of families benefit from the giving programs, which include an autism walk, annual Easter event, Christmas programs, and more.
“It’s kind of hurtful that we don’t have a facility now. And all of the things we were doing, it’s like it’s gonna be forgotten,” he said.
The city commission voted earlier this month to close the facility, with all four commissioners voting yes and the mayor voting no.
While some have argued the move is political, since Sam Little was previously a commissioner and did not get re-elected, others say it is about moving the city forward.
Commissioner Bub Tackett shared a statement Wednesday, saying the decision came from a place of forward thinking, claiming property has not been taken care of and the community deserves better.
“The vote to close the center was across the board. Except the mayor. But he is only there to vote for a tie breaker. The reason it is being closed now is to hopefully renovate it into a community center. For years the property has been neglected by the folks operating it. Our idea is a community center of some type for everyone to enjoy. Or maybe even reach out to a business. The folks operating the center was not keeping it up to pair and it was becoming an eye sore for our community. When I was out walking the town before the election in November. Concerned citizens was asking for some type of resolution for the property other than what it was being used as. Which was more like a poker house for med-evil board or computers game. It was open way up into the night most of the time. But we came together as a board and closed it and we are not finished with that property. We have plans for it so that everyone in the town can benefit from it. And not just a select few.”
However, some of the students who have benefited from the space say it is a facility they will never forget.
“Five-ish visits, just playing Yu-Gi-Oh! here, it helped a lot,” said Cody Reynolds, a student from the afterschool gaming programs. “The people here are nice and they will not discriminate no matter what.”
Reynolds’ mother said he opened up a lot thanks to the program, saying he has autism and was largely nonverbal until he warmed up to the environment the facility provided. The freshman said he wants to see the mission continue.
“No matter what, they’ve gotta get this reopened somehow. Someway. And fight back,” said Reynolds.
A community petition is circulating online, asking the commission to change its ruling, while sharing stories of the center.
The Littles say they don’t believe they will be able to re-open a space to continue their mission, saying they have been ordered to empty the center and do not have a backup building for their resources. Community members have been picking up free books and items at the facility, as a part of the center’s final last outreach.
“We’ve lost all of that. And people are gonna know it’s lost, and people are going to experience it-not just now. Obviously, everybody who’s directly helped by the center will be hurt at first, but over the years they’re going to realize what all they’ve lost,” said Chad Little.
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