Council weighs $400,000–$500,000 options for Community Center, schedules public input

Mayor Susan Juschka and Councilmember Heather Schoning led an extended discussion about the town's Community Center after a recent Fire Marshal inspection and contractor estimates. Heather said renovating the existing building would accommodate about 100 people and was estimated to cost around $500,000; constructing a new 3,000-square-foot building designed to hold roughly 175–200 people was estimated at about $400,000. The council also discussed demolition options and whether the town would undertake demolition itself or put it out to bid.

Councilmembers and staff discussed financing options, including bonding with the town shop and repaying a potential loan using Specific Purpose Tax #4. Heather Schoning said the lot still needs to be surveyed and that further details would be needed before the council could move forward. Mayor Juschka said she would like to hold a public meeting to gather community input; the council set a meeting date on the record (the transcript lists January 3, 2024, which appears to be a clerical error given the December 11, 2024 meeting date) and agreed to post an online survey soliciting public comment. The council tabled further action until Town Attorney Eric Jones can gather additional information and until the community meeting and survey produce public input.

The discussion left the project at an exploratory stage: no contract was awarded, no bond was authorized, and no final financing decision was made. Councilmembers emphasized the need for clearer cost comparisons, a formal survey of the lot, and community feedback before any formal vote.