Westborough recreation director: new facility open, committee seeks full design funding

WESTBOROUGH, Mass. — Jen Kirkland, Westborough's recreation director, told the Municipal Building Committee on Sept. 26 that the department has completed its move into the new recreation building and opened the facility to the public this week.

Kirkland said staff have begun programs including a senior strength-and-balance class and open gym offerings for children, and that guided tours are scheduled in the weeks before Town Meeting to show residents the new space. She said staff are preparing courts for pickleball and scheduling a broader slate of recreation programming as the facility transitions to full service.

Committee discussion focused on the next design and procurement steps. Town staff reported an estimate of about $1.2 million to complete full design through bid documents, which would include additional public engagement and the OPM fee. Committee members stressed designing to a budget the town can support and discussed phasing to avoid constructing elements that would later need to be torn out or reworked.

A committee member suggested exploring use of the new building as temporary library space while library renovations proceed; staff said that discussion should involve the Select Board and the library building committee and noted potential timing and cost questions.

What happens next: staff will share a cost breakdown for the design and OPM components with committee members, and the committee will continue public engagement and planning in advance of any appropriation request at Town Meeting.