Bangor City committee hears $350–$400 per-square-foot estimate for consolidated Parks and Rec facility

At a meeting of Bangor City’s special committee on the future of a consolidated Parks and Recreation facility, consultants reported updated cost estimates of about $350 to $400 per square foot and outlined next steps, including updated design renderings and a July presentation to city council.

Committee members heard that consultants with CHA and Barry Dunn recommended a mix of pre‑engineered components and conventional ("stick") construction to balance cost and lifespan, and proposed masonry (CMU) for locker rooms and skating areas to improve durability. The consultants said they will update the original feasibility study, produce new renderings and a pro forma that includes an added fitness component, and return to the committee before the July council presentation.

Why it matters: the committee’s work will shape whether the city proceeds with a new consolidated facility, where it would sit, how much it will cost, and what happens to existing properties such as Sawyer Arena and the current Parks & Rec center.

Consultants’ design and cost guidance Consultants for the project told the committee that "pre‑engineered components, if correctly specified and built,…