Friends of the Finland Community

Friends of Finland formed in 2007 to help Crystal Bay Township fundraise for the project to build a new community center in Finland, MN. In partnership with Lake County and the Town of Crystal Bay, the 10 year, $2 million project was completed in 2011, and our nonprofit now manages the facility on behalf of the Township. Called the Clair Nelson Center, the community center boasts a geothermal heating system, solar photovoltaic power, and a high-performance building envelope to conserve energy and minimize operating costs.

In addition to the myriad community and rental activities that take place at the Center, Friends of the Finland Community has developed the facility into an incubator for economic development in the area. Our commercial kitchen is County and MDA certified for anyone looking for a venue to develop a food product for sale. We also offer wi-fi and public computers, business planning classes, with future plans for much more.

The Center also has growing youth program, farmers market, and community education classes. Your gift helps us create more programs in the Center.