BELFAST, Maine (WABI) – The University of Maine confirms plans to sell the Hutchinson Center in Belfast to a local church.
On Wednesday evening, Greg Huston, senior pastor of Calvary Chapel Belfast, posted on Facebook that the University of Maine had accepted their offer to purchase the center.
According to UMaine, the church was one of three organizations that submitted offers to purchase the property.
The university said the other two organizations, Waldo County Community Action Partners and Friends of the Hutchinson Center/Waterfall Arts, were notified of the decision Wednesday evening.
According to UMaine, Calvary Chapel Belfast received the lowest offer, but the proposed purchase price was not disclosed.
Bank of America donated the Hutchinson Center to the university in 2007, but the decision to sell it met with resistance from some members of the Waldo County community.
The facility will be the new home for Calvary Chapel Belfast’s church and school and will also provide support for those suffering from addiction.
On its website, the church says it wants to honor the center’s history by continuing its original educational purpose.
According to university policy, the other organizations that submitted a bid have five days to appeal the decision in writing.
Following the appeals process, the University of Maine would then negotiate a final agreement with Calvary Chapel Belfast.
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