Community Center
The Town of Scarborough is continuing to take steps toward meeting the ongoing community interest for a community center. The interest is in a multi-generational community center that would meet the recreational and cultural needs of all demographics of the Town. It has previously been explored and has most recently been a central theme of community conversations related to the update to the Comprehensive Plan, Community Survey, and Parks & Facilities Master Plan.
Background
Timeline
The Town of Scarborough has expressed interest and need for a community center for several years. See below for key materials and work that document discussions around a community center.
Feasibility study presented to town council (2024)
A community center feasibility study was presented to the Town Council on August 21, 2024 by architectural consultant UTILE and the Ad Hoc Community Center committee. Interest in a community center has been a years-long discussion and expressed by residents in multiple surveys, even as far back as 1978 and 2003. This study is in response to the interest that has been brought forward. There are no detailed designs or a timeline.
After hearing the presentation and weighing in, the Town Council chose to hold on moving the project forward until there is a plan in place for a school solution. They plan to have it go to the Finance committee, which is working toward developing a multi-year Capital Facilities prioritization list representing $5M+ investments over the next 20 years. Having a feasibility study for the community center project ensures that the work is ready to move forward when and if the time comes. Read more about the process, findings, and next steps.
AD HOC COMMUNITY CENTER ADVISORY COMMITTEE (2023)
The Town Council seeks to further explore the opportunity for a community center by drawing on the human capital and expertise in the community to study, evaluate, and analyze relevant opportunities in full. The Town of Scarborough established an Ad Hoc Community Center Committee, which began meeting in September 2023. The Town Council tentatively expected to submit a referendum question to the voters for a community center in November 2024, but opted to prioritize a school solution prior to advance the community center concept. Learn more about the committee on the Ad Hoc Community Center Committee page.
FY2024 Budget: Community Recreation Center Land Purchase Funding (2023-24)
The FY2024 budget included a $500,000 strategic capital funding request for land for a future community center. The designated funding would support the work of the Community Center Ad-Hoc Committee in their charge to develop a Community Recreation Center for the Town. Learn more about the FY2024 budget here.
Parks & Facilities Master Plan Findings (2023)
The Town of Scarborough conducted a comprehensive parks and facilities master plan with consultant BerryDunn. The process allows for meaningful future park and recreation facility improvements that yield higher levels of performance and increased enjoyment for all user groups. As part of this process, they conducted a public outreach and needs assessment process to identify and prioritize community needs. Based on information gathered in this study, the community expressed desire for a new Community Center to include aquatics. Learn more about the Parks & Facilities Master Plan here.
FY2023 Budget: Community Center Design (2022-23)
The Town Council has authorized funding to engage in a community Center feasibility study and design process. The FY2023 budget sought funding for a Community Center Design ($100,000). The aim was to procure design and feasibility services from a qualified firm to aid in the development of the proposed Community Center. It would include recommended layouts, based on previous work completed by the Community Center Committee, as well as renderings to aid in community buy-in. This firm would also be expected to create a pre-construction estimate and annual operating budget based on design and project timeline, which should incorporate the public process.
Townwide Community Survey (2021)
Scarborough conducted a community survey for residents in Fall 2021. The survey was statistically valid, conducted by survey consultant ETC Institute. In the survey, residents were asked how supportive they would be for potential capital improvement projects. Sixty-nine percent (69.1%) were very supportive/supportive or a project for the community center. Over half (54.1%) chose the community center project as one of the top two choices as being a high priority for investment. (Findings Report, Page 12, 46-47). Learn more about the 2021 community survey here.
Comprehensive Plan (2021)
The Town Council adopted the 2021 Comprehensive Plan on June 30, 2021. The Plan includes recommendations to plan for a Scarborough Community Center, as outlined under Vision 2: "Future land use patterns will create opportunities for the efficient delivery of municipal services and infrastructure, resulting in fiscal sustainability." (Page 160). Learn more about the Comprehensive Plan here.
Ad Hoc Community Center Advisory Committee (2019)
The Town developed an Ad Hoc Community Center Advisory Committee that met throughout 2019. At the time, the committee was reviewing and analyzing the potential for a public/private partnership on the construction of a community center. Learn more about their work here. This committee concluded its work in 2019 and is different from the 2023 ad hoc committee.
Public Engagement
Community Center Open House
Wednesday, April 24, 2024
3:00pm - 7:00pm (Drop by anytime to share your thoughts and feedback)
Wentworth School Cafeteria
Please join the Scarborough Ad-Hoc Community Center Advisory Committee and their consulting team to learn more about the community center development process and provide feedback. The Advisory Committee has been meeting since September 2023 reviewing past data, survey information, and community feedback in an effort to design a facility that best meets the needs of our community, is financially sustainable, and creates a place to bring the entire community together.
Areas for feedback include, but are not limited to: facility program (spaces/size), operational expenses and revenue analysis, site preference, and look and feel of the proposed facility.
Learn more about the Ad Hoc Community Center Advisory Committee and view meeting materials.
Town Council Workshop
Wednesday, August 24, 2024
5:30-7:00pm
Agenda | View Presentation
The Ad Hoc Community Center committee and architectural consultant UTILE presented the feasibility study to the Town Council in an August 21, 2024 workshop.
Included in the workshop presentation:
• What's included in the community center concept, based on resident interest (pool, track, meeting room, etc.)
• Municipal properties evaluated for site fitting and selected option (Wentworth ice rink area on municipal campus - see photo)
• Financial analysis and cost estimate; revenue generation
Resources
Resources
2018-19 Ad Hoc Community Center Advisory Committee Meeting Materials
2021 Comprehensive Plan
2021 Community Survey Findings Report
Parks & Facilities Master Plan
"The Time is Now" Council Corner Article by Karin Shupe (April 15, 2023)
Charge for Ad Hoc Community Center (Order No. 23-030)
For additional information, visit the Ad-Hoc Community Center Advisory Committee page or Contact the Community Center Ad-hoc Committee