PANAMA — If the people packed into the old Panama Cafe Tuesday evening are any indication, interest in building the town’s first  community center runs high.

A crowd of about 50 filled the former cafe, steaming up windows and straining to hear University of Nebraska-Lincoln students present their ideas for a community center.

They saw scale models, floor plans and renderings of what a fire hall and community center could look like, inside and out.

But nothing — cost, size, features or financing — is set in stone.

A class of 17 fifth- and sixth-year architecture students from UNL based their ideas on work done by a planning class last semester.

Sharing of their projects was intended to inspire residents to weigh in on the ideas, and possibly open their wallets.

“If we can take parts and pieces of these ideas and expand on them, it will give us an idea of where we’re going and help our fundraising efforts,” said Tim Loseke, a member of the Panama Area Community Foundation.

Panama, a town of about 250 residents in southeast Lancaster County, has mulled a center for years.  A fund drive in the 1980s netted about $10,000 — and even a coerstone — for a future community hall. The cornerstone is still available and the money is  still in the bank.

But now, leaders want residents’ two cents’ worth.

“We certainly want to listen to input from everybody,” said Eric Johnson, chairman of the village board.

The UNL students’  assignment called for a  meeting space for 250 people, men’s and women’s restrooms, a warming kitchen, garage bays for use by the fire department and possibly offices for a village clerk or fire chief.

Professor Nate Krug said he would give an A or B to all the plans. “They all met the stated goals,” he said.

And, without being required to do so, students kept costs in mind.

Many incorporated pre-fabricated materials or pour-in-place concrete, which would cut construction costs. Many used natural light or green building techniques as a way to hold down utilities.

Jesse McConnell’s plan had a gutter system that drained into a cistern, which could irrigate a lawn.

He also added a small meeting room for 50 people, designed to shelter emergency management operations and the public in case of disaster. The room had no windows and a concrete roof deck.

Kris Tourek’s plan also considered storm needs, featuring metal guards that could be pulled over the windows.

“As a mom, I’m looking at what could be functional for a graduation in a few years,” said Charlotte Brotherson, a mother of two.

Many designs included a library, park, garden or sports courts.

Johnson said he hopes the center could be built in two or three years.

A legal agreement between the fire district and town will be drawn up. Leaders are looking at grants.

Actual design would be done by a professional architect, after costs are determined and input sought.

The town has other issues, Johnson said, which will be part of a 7 p.m. April 17 town hall meeting.

Panama operates its own electricial system, which may be discontinued if rates rise high enough to match Norris Public Power, he said.

Locust Street may need work and the town’s stormwater and wastewater systems may need upgrades.

Still, Johnson and others believe the need for a center is clear.

“Surveys have shown that a community center is one of the high wants of this community,” he said.

Reach Kendra Waltke at (402) 473-7303 or kwaltke@journalstar.com.