Summer is here! In many ways, the start of summer signals something of an end to the year of programming at DAC. The summer celebration that occurs in June is always so much fun, and I’m sure this year will be no different. But as the summer begins, we turn to the necessary tasks of budgeting for the next year and prioritizing projects and activities for the next 12 months.

It has been a busy past year at the DAC. We have made a number of notable improvements to our property. The first level bathroom project and suite renovation is now complete. I’m pleased with these changes that will improve the usability of our space and make our DAC more welcoming to guests. Our landscaping is in full bloom now, and we are grateful to the Jensen family for their generous donations to help plan and fund the project, and especially to Paul Jensen who donated a LOT of labor to get the project completed. We have also acquired new chairs to be used throughout the building. This is a significant investment, and I’m very pleased with the decision made by the design committee. Our chairs look wonderful and update our space. They will be in use for many years to come, and I’m glad we chose such an attractive and functional design.

Looking forward, we have begun the task of budgeting for the coming year. We are mapping out the activity calendar, and planning what types of permits we will need for our various events. There are currently no plans for major improvements to the property, but there will be ongoing maintenance and minor updates to some spaces. We are evaluating updates like new carpet, paint, PA/sound system installation, security system improvements, and new kitchen equipment to make our facility more welcoming and safe for our guests and members.

If you have suggestions or ideas about projects or have an interest in contributing time and talent to help us complete these projects, please feel free to reach out. We are always looking for new ideas to make our facilities better and to improve our programming for the next year. We have a public forum at the annual meeting, but that’s a few months away. If you have ideas that you’d like to suggest for the next year, now is a good time to let us know!

As always, I am grateful to our volunteers, staff, and members for making this such a wonderful, thriving organization. I am humbled by your kindness and generosity.
Pete Gantriis