Town officials presented professional cost estimates for renovating the West Street senior center on Jan. 6 and proposed a smaller-scope repair plan after estimated full-renovation costs proved high.

Union Studio and consultant Don Powers provided figures the town summarized at the meeting: a full renovation estimate of about $4,700,000 and a modest expansion/rebuild estimate of $6,100,000. Officials described construction cost inflation and noted that, in some cases, rebuilding can be less expensive than renovating an older structure.

Town staff, senior center advisory representatives and consultants recommended pursuing a third path: a focused “necessary repairs” scope that would address the building’s highest-priority functional and safety needs without reconfiguring the facility’s footprint. Town staff identified several urgent systems issues to be included in that approach: electrical upgrades (the existing service was described as insufficient to run modern appliances), HVAC deficiencies (no reliable air conditioning on most floors and patchwork ductwork), kitchen and hood repairs, inadequate lighting and structural problems in the basement subfloor. Staff estimated HVAC work alone could be in the $200,000–$250,000 range.

Officials said they would develop a detailed, scoped repair estimate for council consideration and compare that against the full renovation and rebuild costs. The town noted it acquired the West Street property at no cost in the last year and that the building has functioned as the senior center for decades. Staff said interim operations could be staged at the golf clubhouse second floor if renovation work requires temporary relocation.

Senior Services Committee members at the meeting reiterated demographic data showing an aging population and said they would convene to discuss programming priorities and how a renovation or repair plan should match seniors’ needs. Town staff said they will return with a comprehensive repair estimate and a program-to-cost analysis to inform any budget decisions.