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, should not be a longevity issue," and that combining pre‑engineered roof and wall systems with conventional construction in high‑wear areas can reduce long‑term problems. They suggested using block (CMU) for locker rooms and skating areas while using long‑span, pre‑engineered systems for large clear‑span spaces.

The group discussed square‑foot cost estimates. Committee materials and the consultants' follow‑up put an all‑in working range at roughly $350 to $400 per square foot, up from the roughly $200 per‑square‑foot figure discussed in an earlier study. Committee members asked the consultants to confirm whether that range is inclusive of site work and to produce an updated breakdown for the next deliverable.

Fitness space, site and soils work The consultants will add a fitness component to the updated plans; the committee discussed a fitness area of about 3,000 to 4,000 square feet as a baseline, with a possible range up to about 5,000 square feet depending on final programming and community need. The updated pro forma will include estimated revenues and expenses from that added program space.

Committee members also discussed geotechnical work. Staff reported recent bids for similar borings and said a local firm (SW Cole) recently quoted roughly $3,500 to drill five or six test borings to refusal and deliver a basic geotechnical report. Committee members asked staff to check whether any useful subsurface data exist from nearby projects (for example, the fire station site) before ordering new borings.

Site selection and existing properties The original study focused on city‑owned properties; the report singled out Griffin Road as the recommended site, and the committee reiterated that focus because city land can reduce acquisition costs. The consultants and committee reviewed other sites previously considered: Bass Park (limited usable area and parking conflicts), Paverick Park, Cleveland Street (constraints from topography and other factors), and Grandview (now slated for housing and therefore no longer available). The committee emphasized that the site work supporting Griffin Road and others will be part of the updated materials sent to council.

Disposition of existing facilities and equipment Committee members asked about what would happen to the existing Parks & Rec center and Sawyer Arena if the city builds a new consolidated facility. Staff said no final decisions have been made; options include repurposing, selling the sites, or salvaging equipment. The group discussed salvage markets and resale of equipment such as dashers, glass and a Zamboni; staff noted some items (for example, a Zamboni) could be reused in a new facility or sold on secondary markets.

Funding and next steps Committee members noted funding will be a future topic and suggested the final recommendation to council should address potential funding sources—private donors or foundations, a bond measure, or combinations of public and private funding. The consultants will update the feasibility study, revise designs and pro forma figures, and return to the committee with renderings, floor layouts and cost estimates. The committee set a target to present the updated materials and a recommendation to city council in July and agreed to meet every two weeks until then. Staff will post materials for the special committee on the city's website so members and the public can follow updates.

The meeting ended with staff confirming the schedule and web posting plan and the committee adjourning until the next biweekly meeting.