CWC board approves three loans

MARGARETVILLE, N.Y., October 25, 2007 - A former Hensonville church will be transformed into a fitness center, and a Main Street, Margaretville building will be renovated with funds provided by the Catskill Watershed Corporation (CWC).

A Walton supermarket will install energy saving lighting and a new entrance using a loan from a state energy agency in partnership with the CWC.

These projects were approved by the CWC Board of Directors at its October 23 meeting.

Mary and Paul Schoepe intend to combine a CWC REDI Loan with a loan and a grant from the Greene County Economic Development office to transform the church on State Route 296 into Fitness Concepts. The facility will offer exercise classes and equipment, a fitness apparel shop, juice bar and lounge. The Schoepes purchased the 137-year-old church earlier this year and have done substantial renovations and façade improvements on the structure.

BP Visions, a company owned by Marylou Pratt and Florence Barra of Fishkill, will renovate 816 Main Street, Margaretville to improve its two storefronts and three upstairs apartments. The MARK Project and a local bank are also contributing to this project.

The Walton Big M, which obtained a special CWC flood recovery loan in 2006 to help it rebound from a devastating flood that year, now plans to replace all 260 lighting fixtures in the store, and to construct a new vestibule to prevent heat loss. The energy savings realized from these improvements will help reduce utility costs and improve cash flow.

In other business, the CWC Board authorized a $15,430 operation and maintenance contract with the Town of Windham to maintain stormwater control installations on Hickory Hill Road; and a $9,873 O&M contract with the Greene County Soil & Water Conservation District to maintain stormwater control devices at the Town of Hunter highway garage.

For more information on the non-profit Catskill Watershed Corporation and its environmental protection, economic development and education programs, go to www.cwconline.org, or call 845-586-1400.