Community building at Nay Aug Park in Scranton undergoes expansion
Jun. 20—SCRANTON — A former concession stand converted into a community building at Nay Aug Park will expand.
The Scranton Municipal Recreation Authority that oversees the park converted the former concession stand near the defunct pools into a community building last year.
The utilitarian block building, akin to a garage or large equipment shed, has been increasingly used as a place for meetings of various boards and organizations. The authority recently constructed walls to enclose a patio extending off the rear of the building.
"We realized it's just too small, so we're expanding it," recreation authority Chairman Bob Gattens said.
The addition has been a work in progress. A new roof was installed about a month ago. Wiring, windows, doors, insulation, HVAC and a doorway between the original concession stand section and the addition eventually will follow over the coming months, Gattens said.
For many years, the recreation authority met at the Weston Field House on Providence Road. When Gattens joined the board and became chairman in 2018, he had the authority instead hold meetings at Nay Aug Park — including outdoor meetings at the Schimelfenig Pavilion near the pool complex and indoor at the Everhart Museum, depending on the seasons.
As the recreation authority only oversees Nay Aug Park, holding meetings there was a way to draw more neighbors of the park.
As the COVID-19 pandemic ensued, use of the museum for meetings became limited. The authority turned to the vacant concession stand and also offered it up to other boards and groups for their meetings.
Entities that have used the community building for meetings for free include the Scranton Parking Authority, the Hill Neighborhood Association, scout troops and a substance-abuse recovery organization.
"It served its purpose, but as the park use is growing — and it is growing — we figure it's time to make use of what's there," Gattens said. "We want to make it so it goes beyond a meeting room, to have birthday parties, whatever, there."
The addition would be about 1 1/2 times larger than the concession stand portion. The project will include installing windows in side walls and doors at the rear leading to a future deck that would overlook the pool complex. The pools are closed but plans are on the books for restoration.
The Hill Neighborhood Association last year sold its headquarters at 419 Prescott Ave. because it could no longer afford the overhead. The HNA has since held meetings at the community building at Nay Aug Park.
The availability of the community building was a key factor in unloading the office building, a former residence, said Hill Neighborhood Association President Tim Schwartz. The HNA also recently has used the community building as a location to sell Hometown Heroes banners to the public.
"That building is a great resource for us for meetings and whatever we may need," Schwartz said. "We have a good partnership with the authority using that building."
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