CHELSEA – The Chelsea City Council voted to rename the community center in honor of former Mayor Earl Niven at a regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 15.

According to current Mayor Tony Picklesimer, the idea to honor Niven had been discussed by city officials since he and city council members took office in 2016.

Niven served as the mayor for the first 20 years after Chelsea was established as a city. Picklesimer credited much of the progress that the city has made to Niven.

“The reason we’ve been able to accomplish what we can is because of the vision and leadership he had for our city,” Picklesimer said.

Niven, who said he has strong family ties to the area, said the announcement “came as a pleasant surprise.” Niven described the recognition as “better than winning an Academy award as an actor” and an honor for himself and his family.

“It’s something that will always mean something to my wife, my children, my grandchildren and my great-grandchildren,” Niven said.

According to Niven, he found the revenue and gathered the community needed to build the Chelsea Community Center, which opened in 2015. Niven said he loves the city and is proud to have helped it grow.

“People in the Chelsea area know where my heart is,” Niven said. “It’s always been in the city of Chelsea.”