Submitted Photo Village of Cassadaga Trustee Cindy Flaherty, right, proudly displays a check for $15,000, presented to the Citizens for a Better Cassadaga by the Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation, to update the gazebo at Cassadaga Beach.

CASSADAGA — The Citizens for a Better Cassadaga community organization was proud to receive a grant from the Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation totaling $15,000 to be used to restore the gazebo at Cassadaga Beach. Village of Cassadaga Trustee Cindy Flaherty shared the news at a recent Village Board meeting.

The Village is seeking quotes for the work, which must be completed within a year to remain eligible for the grant funding to cover the cost. Flaherty thanked fellow Trustee Bill Astry for his assistance with the gazebo, as well as the Department of Public Works (DPW) for making the gazebo accessible to contractors.

While one significant grant has been secured, another group in the Village is on the hunt for more.

Nancy Wickmark stated that the Village’s Grant Committee has targeted a Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation grant to be geared toward Youth Sports Programs. With the help of Jake Landean, owner of 3 Lakes Cafe, the Committee is seeking a grant in the amount of $25,000 to be used for a Disc Golf Course, with electricity added to the ballparks.

“The goal of it is to give our youth a different sports activity,” Wickmark said.

The Committee is also eyeing another grant, in the amount of $50,000, geared toward design and access to paths and trails, with sidewalks sought on the west side of Route 60. The grant would also include an on-demand traffic light for a crossing at Shurfine, and potentially help slow traffic down coming into the village.

The Committee also plans to proceed with the Main Street Master Plan, with a community meeting led by representatives from Chautauqua County and the architects of the plan to be Friday, Dec. 5 at 5:30 p.m. at Cassadaga Branch Library on Maple Ave.

Also of note, Cassie Simpson attended a recent meeting to thank the Village Board for their support on behalf of Job Corps. Simpson stated that Job Corps is still operating and has funding secured through June 2026. Currently, just shy of 100 students are enrolled, which is roughly half of what enrollment was previously, but the program is hopeful that more students will enroll in the coming weeks.