Boring gets one step closer to official Community Center

Boring is getting closer to realizing its dream of a community center where folks can gather, take part in annual events, host important meetings, and have plenty of fun.

In late October, the title for the Boring Square Garden Center property was transferred to the Boring, Oregon Foundation, and all the appropriate paperwork was filed with Clackamas County.

The Garden Center, 28150 S.E. Hwy. 212, had been owned by Gordon and Karen Watkins since the 1970s. It was a longtime community fixture for nearly half a century. But as age and health created challenges, the couple decided to retire to sunny Hawaii last November.

Thus, the future of the property came under question. That is when the Boring, Oregon Foundation got involved. The organization began speaking with the Watkins about purchasing the property. The Foundation had it appraised, hired a designer, and met with the county to ensure everything was in order.

Last spring, the organization started negotiations with the Watkins family.

Boring Community Center

The plans for the future community center are exciting. It will include the existing garden center buildings and a new 2,500-square-foot Meeting & Exhibit Hall with a full kitchen. Plans are being finalized, and an architect is drafting designs.

On October 26, the Foundation began a capital campaign to raise the needed funds. Estimates suggest the project will cost about $3 million. So far, $1 million has been raised. Donations have been a boon, and the organization is applying for grants.

You can donate to support the community center online: BoringOregonFoundation.org

“We have been planning this process for some time now, and we have some preliminary commitments for funding,” said Steve Bates, president of the Boring, Oregon Foundation.

The plan is to break ground during the Boring & Dull Day Community Ice Cream Social on Aug. 9, 2027.

Boring, Oregon Foundation

The Foundation was formed in 2012 with the mission to fund the building/operation of a community center for the greater Boring area. It became a 501(c)3 organization in 2014.

The Foundation has hosted the Boring & Dull Day festivities every year since its founding, as well as other projects to improve community livability — the “Welcome to Boring” banners along Highway 212; maintaining the “Welcome to Boring” sign; caring for the Boring Vietnam Veterans Memorial; and caring for the playground equipment at the Boring Station Trailhead Park.

The Boring, Oregon Foundation will have its first meeting at the new headquarters at 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 3, 28150 S.E. Hwy. 212. All are invited to attend.