The Sudden Valley Long Range Planning Committee voted to commission preliminary designs and cost estimates for a proposed new Barn 6 and to use those figures to inform how and when to repair Barn 8.

Committee members said Barn 8 requires extensive structural work and that sequencing the projects matters: building Barn 6 first, then repairing Barn 8, could preserve use of key amenities (notably the exercise/fitness space) while the older building is restored. The committee recommended the architect provide two options — a full mezzanine and a partial mezzanine — so the board can compare costs and trade-offs.

Why it matters: Barn 8 (the existing “Dance Barn”) houses much of the association’s recreation and event space. Committee members said engineers’ estimates for the Barn 8 repairs run long and that performing those repairs before providing alternative space would remove much of the facility’s usable functions for an extended period, potentially affecting members’ access to the gym, locker rooms and pool access.

Committee discussion and specifics: Subcommittee members who toured the buildings recommended reconfiguring underused rooms, relocating the check-in desk closer to the lower-level entry, and consolidating or expanding exercise space. They reported Barn 8 has sections that are underutilized because of current internal layouts; some rooms have been converted to storage. The group emphasized the need to coordinate Barn 6’s program (what amenities are built there) with Barn 8’s repair plan to avoid duplication — for example, whether a senior meeting area should be in Barn 6 or remain in Barn 8.

Timeline and cost context: Committee members summarized information from engineers and quotes they had received: repairing Barn 8’s structural issues was described as a multi-phase job that could total roughly 96 weeks of work if done consecutively (about two years), and ballpark repair quotes discussed verbally were “over $3,000,000.” The committee also noted typical renovation contingency rates are larger than for new construction and recommended factoring that into estimates.

Design considerations discussed included making the new building multiuse (gym, meeting rooms, prep kitchen, family restrooms, storage, check-in/office and flexible roll-up doors for open-air use in summer), the option of a partial versus full second floor to reduce peak roof loads and costs, inclusion of an elevator and two stairways, and whether to relocate some upstairs functions from Barn 8 into Barn 6 to reduce the amount of repair work needed on Barn 8. Participants also raised operational impacts (lost rental and program revenue during construction) and potential revenue upside if a rentable second-floor reception/dance venue is incorporated.

Formal action and next steps: The committee approved a motion directing staff to engage an architect to produce preliminary drawings and cost estimates for two options (full mezzanine and partial mezzanine) and to return those materials to the board. The committee agreed to present the architect’s numbers to the full board and to hold a town meeting for member feedback before final decisions. The committee set a follow-up meeting date to review the architect’s work and progress reports.

Ending: Committee members asked the architect’s scope to include simple elevation sketches so the board and community can see how the proposals will look, and to return comparative cost estimates so the committee and board can make an informed recommendation.