East Berlin community center nets large donors as it eyes brand new facility

After decades in a building that dates from the 1800s, the East Berlin Area Community Center (EBACC) has plans for a brand new facility, with a big boost from donors.

The brand-new facility is being planned for a 22-acre lot purchased by EBACC in 2020 at 1005 Route 194, just south of East Berlin, at the former Adams County Fair Grounds in Hamilton Township.

Amenities including an Olympic-sized swimming pool, a top-of-the-line fitness center, a banquet room, childcare facilities, a learning center, and possibly even a mental health clinic are planned for the new site, said EBACC Vice President Robin Heyser.

"It's been very well thought out," said Heyser, who noted the building will be designed to accommodate all of their needs.

Mental health of the community is a priority that EBACC is looking at, said EBACC operations manager Pamalee Lady, and EBACC is looking into ways they can help support community mental health issues with the new facility.

The project for the new facility is referred to by EBACC as "project 22," a reference to the year 2022, when the project kicked off, and the 22-acre lot purchased by EBACC in 2022.

EBACC is currently conducting a site feasibility study, and is expecting an initial plan for the square footage in January, said Heyser.

"It's going to be pretty exciting in January," she said.

Heyser expects the building to be built and open in around six years, with initial planning for designs still taking place.

Along with benefitting residents with a public pool, the swimming pool is something that many schools in the community need, Heyser said, as many schools in the area don't have their own swimming facilities.

EBACC recently reached out to three local schools, Bermudian Springs, New Oxford, and Gettysburg, to see what their requirements would be for a competitive pool. Currently, those schools have to rent outside facilities for their swim team, with Gettysburg renting the college or YMCA and New Oxford practicing at the Brethren Home facility, Heyser said.

The swimming pool is planned for phase two of the project, Heyser said, and isn't expected to be finished with the first phase of construction. The plans are being prepared with that expansion in mind, however, which Heyser says will make it incredibly smooth to transition into the next phase once the first phase is completed.

Aging facilities

The existing building that is home to EBACC, at 405 North Street in East Berlin Borough was first constructed in 1878, said Heyser.

Prior to being home to EBACC, the building served many other purposes, including as an elementary school and later a high school, said Heyser.

The building has been expanded on five times since its creation, Heyser said, with the most recent expansion being done in the 1950s.

That most recent expansion added the west wing, where EBACC currently houses its thrift shop.

"There's still people from East Berlin that still don't know we exist," Heyser said, noting the current building is tucked away from the main roads of East Berlin on a street that amounts to an alley. "It's off the beaten track."

The new building, as a large standalone facility positioned on a major route on a large lot, looks to give EBACC a more public facing presence in the community.

The large acreage of the new lot will give EBACC space to expand and do outdoor activities beyond what they can currently offer, Heyser said. The current lot they occupy is eight acres, though only four of them are used by EBACC.

Community support

While EBACC is still preparing for a capital campaign to begin next year, the center has already received two largescale donations.

On Thursday, the Reading Township board of supervisors gathered to present EBACC officials with a check in the amount of $100,000 towards the new facility.

"I couldn't be more happy to support EBACC," said Reading Township board of supervisors president Kevin Holtzinger. "EBACC has been serving our community for over 30 years."

"A huge public thank you should go out to all the volunteers and people who make the community center a huge success," Holtzinger said.

The funds, which came from American Rescue Plan Act, was part of an ongoing effort by the township to support EBACC's endeavors. In the future, Reading Township plans to provide an annual donation to EBACC, though Holtzinger notes that annual donation won't have "quite as many zeroes."

"I'd like to challenge all municipalities and businesses in the private sector to help support their goals," said Holtzinger.

EBACC primarily serves six municipalities, Washington Township, Reading Township, Hamilton Township, Paradise Township, East Berlin Borough, and Abbottstown Borough, Heyser said. On top of those, in a recent survey, EBACC had visitors from over 76 townships and three states, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Delaware, Heyser said.

Along with Reading Township's donation, EBACC additionally received $137,000 from the Arthur Gladfelter Foundation.

These two large donations have come before even the official kickoff of their capital campaign, Heyser said, and EBACC is looking forward to other grants and donors assisting when they start their campaign in 2024.

For the Reading Township board of supervisors, the donation reaffirmed the township's commitment to support EBACC, even after recently taking ownership of the Hampton fire company social hall as a Reading Township community center.

More: 'A focal point of the community': Fire Co. transfers station ownership to Reading Township

Supervisor Jason Philips said the Reading Township community center is being planned to complement EBACC, not compete with them.

Holtzinger echoed that sentiment, reaffirming "it's not going to be a competition." The Reading Township community center, which is primarily a social hall, will be more focused on private sector functions, Holtzinger said.

That will typically look like private rentals, such as for line dancing, wedding receptions, and other events, Holtzinger said.

The township is committed to supporting EBACC, Phillips said, who noted the excellent track record of EBACC and their financial stability.

"[EBACC] is a very very important thing to the community," Phillips said.

Holtzinger summarized his view on EBACC and the staff and volunteers who assist with it.

"Good people doing good things makes a great community," Holtzinger said.

This article originally appeared on Hanover Evening Sun: East Berlin community center nets large donors as it eyes new facility