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Community center committee backs new building on lot 68; select board splits over $88,200 design request
Summary
The Bow Community Center Study Committee recommended building a new community center on lot 68 and asked the Select Board for up to $88,200 for schematic design and $500,000 to the capital reserve fund; the Select Board debated timing, costs and a required 2025 fire-and-life-safety plan but took no final vote.
The Bow Community Center Study Committee recommended replacing the town’s aging community center with a new facility on town-owned lot 68 and asked the Select Board on Jan. 14 to support up to $88,200 for schematic design and a request for additional capital-reserve funding.
Danielle (vice chair, Community Center Study Committee) presented the committee’s work: three concepts considered and public listening sessions that led the committee to recommend full new construction on lot 68 (the parcel across the street where the gazebo sits). The recommended new facility would add a full-size gym, dedicated senior and teen spaces, more program rooms, accessible green space and more parking; the committee estimated a construction cost of roughly $9.8 million and a schematic-design request of $88,200 to move design work forward.
The Board’s discussion focused on two linked issues: (1) the New Hampshire Fire Marshal’s requirement that the town have, by the end of 2025, a design, timeline and cost estimate for continued fire-and-life-safety compliance of the existing community building; and (2) whether committing town design funds this spring would signal board and town endorsement of the committee’s $9.8 million lot-68 proposal.
Fire Chief (Chief Harrington) told the board a compliance plan is required to keep the existing building in use and that upgrades would be needed if the town chose to continue operating the current center. Town Manager David and the chief said the schematic-design work would also produce the specific cost estimates needed for either renovating the existing building or building anew. Supporters of the committee’s recommendation argued that schematic plans are needed to pursue grants and fundraising and to avoid a last-minute scramble.
Several Select Board members said they worried that placing the committee’s preferred plan and a warrant article for $88,200 before voters this March would be perceived as an endorsement of the full $9.8 million plan and could hurt the proposal at town meeting. Others favored putting a warrant before residents so voters could decide. The board did not take a final vote on the committee’s $88,200 request during the meeting; board members signaled the item may be revisited during CIP and budget hearings ahead of the town’s public budget hearing in February.
The committee also asked for $500,000 added to the capital-reserve fund to seed future construction. Committee members and consultants said grant opportunities and fundraising depend on having an agreed schematic design. The board asked for clearer warrant language and for the committee to clarify whether funds requested would be used for the lot-68 concept or for schematic design for whichever option voters choose.
The discussion closed with no vote; Select Board members and staff said they would work on wording and on scheduling follow-up briefings for the budget committee and the public.
