Lynd Mayor Justin Guggisberg talked about the foundation repairs and other improvements recently completed at the Lynd Community Center. The city held an open house on Friday to celebrate.

LYND — It was an important meeting place for local residents, but the Lynd Community Center needed help for some big structural problems.

“About a year and a half ago, we realized the foundation was sinking,” said Lynd Mayor Justin Guggisberg. One corner of the building was a few inches lower than it should have been, causing a crack across the floor and other damage.

Lynd community members stepped in to help fix it. With support from Lyon County, Lynd area residents and more, the community center is now back to its old self, with improvements like a handicapped-accessible door and new landscaping outside, Guggisberg said.

“It’s been great seeing the whole community come together,” he said.

On Friday, Lynd residents celebrated with an open house and burger feed at the renovated community center.

The Lynd Community Center is part of the same building that includes the city offices and the Lynd Fire Department. It’s the place where city government meetings are held, and where area residents hold all kinds of different events.

Lynd sought funding to help restore the community center, including $80,000 in American Rescue Plan Act funds from Lyon County.

“That money went to raise the building and put pillars underneath,” Guggisberg said.

Guggisberg said the city had also received grant funding for an age-friendly community project, and members of a local committee looked at ways to improve the community center. The city was able to add an automatic door at the center to go with the accessible entry, and a permanent flagpole outside the building, said Lynd City Clerk Sue Paradis.

“The committee members did a great job,” Guggisberg said.

“I think it’s nice, seeing all the changes,” said Vonnie Johnson, a member of the aging committee.

Guggisberg said construction on the community center went on all last summer. After excavations were done around the sides of the buildings, the foundation could be raised. There were interior updates too, like repairs to the floor, new carpet, new drywall and new windows, he said.

The community center project wouldn’t have been possible without support from the county and township boards, the Minnesota River Area Agency on Aging, the contractors who made the building and landscaping improvements, and community members, Guggisberg said.

Guggisberg and Paradis said the community center can continue to be a gathering place for Lynd area residents. Besides city government meetings, the center has hosted everything from club meetings to baby showers and birthday parties.

“It’s booked pretty solid almost every weekend,” Guggisberg said.

With touches like carpet and wood paneling on the walls, the community center has a different atmosphere from larger venues in the area, Paradis said. “It’s got a homey feeling.”