York launches community center study to 'meet the needs of the people'

YORK — The town is conducting a feasibility study to find the perfect location for a future community center.

York Parks and Recreation Director Peter Murray said the town is in the process of hiring a consultant to lead the study.

Residents have long discussed a community center in town, and last year approved $100,000 for the study.

Murray said the consultant would lead a search for all options to develop a community center, whether by repurposing an existing building or constructing a new one.

The study would examine the costs of such a project and what features should be in the building. Members of an ad hoc committee led by Murray recently took a field trip to several community centers to see what other cities and towns have.

“We just want something that will meet the needs of the people,” Murray said.

'Everything’s just ruined': York and Hampton beaches face devastating flood damage

York has sought a community center for years

Residents have long discussed bringing a place to town that multiple generations could enjoy. A community center is a goal laid out in York's comprehensive plan, according to Murray.

Todd Frederick, chairman of the town Selectboard, said many people in York currently seek out options in other towns for recreation.

He said the Kittery Community Center is a model for what York residents may want in their own town. The facility’s programming includes the Star Theatre, an open gym, day camps, and after-school programs for children.

“I think many are envious of the facility just to our south in Kittery,” Frederick said. “There’s certainly a call and a need for it in town. It’s just, what’s the size, and what are the offerings?”

In 2017, the Selectboard voted to create a committee that sought to determine if the town was interested in exploring the feasibility of a future community center. They held a meeting to collect feedback from about 60 York residents, and while 18% strongly disagreed with the idea, 46% said they wanted the town to pursue a community center.

The committee collected other feedback from the residents. It found that 66% wanted a dedicated space for seniors, while 48% found that teens should have their own place.

Murray said finding space for young people in town is imperative as school facilities are at capacity for programming between school sports and town programs that use the fields.

“They’re looking for teenagers to be able to go after school,” Murray said. “Just generally a place where the community can come together.”

Hole lot of fun: York Library to turn into mini-golf course for two days

Why a community center is needed in York?

Ad hoc committee members are pushing for a community center accommodating all age groups. The committee includes Selectboard member Marla Johnson and representatives from the Center for Active Living, where many seniors enjoy a variety of programs.

Committee member Rhonda Dicarlo puts on a popular dance class called Shake It Up through the Center for Active Living. The dance group brings together seniors who strive to stay active by moving with the rhythm of popular, upbeat music.

Space has been a challenge for the group. They first danced in a cramped room with bookshelves at the Center for Active Living’s 36 Mainstreet facility. DiCarlo moved them to the York Beach fire station, a former ballroom. But they lost the space in the summer to bingo, which was popular at the station.

DiCarlo said a community center could accommodate groups like hers so that they could not only have a place to dance but also other spaces, like a café for socializing after class.

“You need your own space,” DiCarlo said. “You need to be part of it and not separated.”

Murray said the previous study indicated residents believed that seniors wanted their own separate space away from a future community center. He and DiCarlo said that is no longer true based on the feedback they have gathered recently.

“Multigeneration is what they’re striving for, I can tell you that much,” DiCarlo said.

Woodstone at York Village: Plan to scrap 55-plus homes finds support, opposition

What does York want in a community center?

On their field trip, Murray and members of his ad hoc committee said they saw a variety of community centers in Gorham, South Portland, Falmouth, Brunswick and Wiscasset. Murray said each facility had its pros and cons.

“There’s new ones, there’s old ones,” Johnson said. “Some have pools. All have gyms.”

Murray said a 2017 study showed that people in town want similar offerings.

“No question that people are looking for a pool, they’re looking for more gymnasium space, they’re looking for more exercise studio space,” Murray said. “Those are kind of the top three things that people are looking for.”

Once the feasibility study is completed, the next step would be to put forth a ballot question asking voters if they would like to fund designs for a future project. If approved, he said voters would then be asked at a later referendum if they would support construction costs.

Murray said he hopes the study will lead to a project the town can be proud of.

“This is a generational type of opportunity for the town,” Murray said. “If we do present something to the town, we want to make sure that we’re building something that is going to meet the needs not just for today but 50 years into the future.”

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: York explores options for future community center