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Council liaison reports progress on Waterford Community Center, tenants and accessibility work
Summary
Council liaison provided updates on tenant coordination at the Waterford Community Center, parking and accessibility improvements, and next steps for tenant moves and archive planning.
Councilor Hegland, serving as the council liaison for the Waterford Community Center project, told the Gardner City Council on Sept. 2 that multiple tenant groups are advancing plans for move-in and that the administration and council are coordinating to address parking, accessibility and permit details.
The update covered three principal tenant groups: Growing Places (a food program operator), the Community Action Center (CAC), and the Senior Center. Hegland said Growing Places is operating near capacity and is exploring use of the former teacher's lounge for office space; they have not requested mini-split air-conditioning yet and cited funding constraints. The CAC is finalizing kitchen upgrades and potentially needs an external grease trap; bathroom renovation work has gone out to bid to provide public restrooms before their move-in.
Hegland said the mayor's office and city staff are seeking grants to repair sidewalks and ramps around the building and that the city has put a separate bid out to make an entryway ADA-compliant (automatic door openers and a ramp). City engineer Rob Oliva and director Dane Arnold have been working on a parking plan to accommodate delivery zones, staff and volunteer parking, handicap spaces and tractor-trailer access for CAC holiday deliveries; Hegland said the proposed layout aims to meet the needs of multiple tenants.
The council liaison also reported discussions with a local archivist, Alan McNally (Historical Commission), who will coordinate an archives effort at the center, and with senior center director Mike Ellis about space layout and cosmetic work required for the seniors' move. Hegland said some interior finishing and cosmetic items remain but that the two-story portion for the senior center is largely ready.
The council voted to place the update on file. Councilors asked for continued coordination on parking, kitchen plumbing needs and funding sources for site work; Hegland said the city will continue tenant conversations and follow up with bids and grant applications.
