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Brooklyn Heights building committee discusses Community Center upgrades
Summary
At a Feb. 4 Building Committee meeting, Chair Matt Walsh asked Service Director Blados to inventory and prioritize needed repairs and modernization at the Village Community Center; officials said maintenance funding exists but there is no dedicated modernization budget.
The Village of Brooklyn Heights Building Committee met Feb. 4, 2025, to discuss potential upgrades to the Community Center. Building Committee Chair Matt Walsh said the meeting would focus on the condition of the center and handed the presentation to Service Director Blados.
Service Director Blados said the Community Center "is very old and in significant need of updates," and told attendees that while the Village budgets for building maintenance each year, there is no specific line item for modernization. He emphasized that some tasks must be sequenced — for example, flooring should not be installed before addressing ceiling repairs or painting — and that the committee should prioritize needs over wants.
Blados also noted a recent Service Department improvement: the installation of a water bottle filling station, which "has already saved 94 plastic bottles from going to the landfill." The statistic was offered as an example of a relatively low-cost, high-impact upgrade.
Committee members and residents discussed which repairs could be handled in-house and which would require certified contractors, and considered using volunteers for some tasks. Chair Matt Walsh directed Service Director Blados to walk through the building the following week and compile a prioritized list of needed repairs and upgrades for the Council to review.
Clerk/Treasurer Frank said the finalized budget will determine what the Village can fund. A resident raised concerns about the appearance of mold on ceiling vents; Blados explained that the previous eggshell paint and temperature-driven condensation had caused mildew-like staining and said he had inspected the vents and found them clear of mold.
Frank added that the Village is nearing completion of required Capital Improvement projects and expressed eagerness to begin Community Center upgrades, but warned that replacing all the center's tables and chairs would cost "thousands," a figure he said is rising with material costs. No formal motions or votes were taken. The meeting adjourned with Blados assigned to present a realistic, prioritized list of tasks for Council consideration.
