City plans $700K renovation for Woodside facility gym and training rooms

A significant discussion at the recent Vermont government meeting centered on the renovation and completion of a juvenile center, which is set to replace the former Woodside facility. The project, initially budgeted at $16 million, has seen costs rise to approximately $18.19 million, largely due to challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The meeting revealed that part of the original Woodside building was demolished, but key areas, such as the gym, were retained for the new center. Plans include renovations to the gym to better accommodate programming needs, with an estimated additional cost of $700,000 for these upgrades. This will include the addition of a conference room, training room, and storage space, while maintaining a half basketball court.

Officials confirmed that there is a remaining balance of $50,000 from previous appropriations for preliminary design work, which will help fund the ongoing renovations. The discussion highlighted the importance of these updates in providing a modern facility for juvenile services in the state. As the project moves forward, stakeholders are optimistic about enhancing the support and resources available for youth in Vermont.