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Commission hears clubhouse and Wixom-site updates; designers to deliver plans before Christmas
Summary
Staff reported design work and bids for a new clubhouse/pavilion to expand camp and year‑round programming, with consultants due to provide plans before Christmas and an aim to break ground after Labor Day; commissioners also discussed asbestos removal funding for the Wixom school site.
Recreation staff told the commission the consultant team is preparing plans and cost estimates for a two‑bathroom clubhouse/multipurpose building, with the goal of being bid‑ready so construction can begin after Labor Day and avoid cutting into summer camp season.
Dustin said the design consultant and the town’s civil/structural engineers were coordinating and that the consultant “is supposed to have us something, before Christmas so that we have an idea of what we need to do.” The planned building would be a rectangular shell with accessible bathrooms, storage and an open room for camp and community programming.
Commissioners noted the project already has authorized funding for construction but emphasized the need for finished plans, civil work and septic design to allow timely bidding and contract awards. Staff said the intent is to sequence work so any brief work zone would not disrupt camp operations in the following summer.
Separately, Paul reminded the commission that the Wixom school property demolition will require asbestos abatement before any demolition can proceed; he said an abatement item of roughly $2,000,000 may be on the Select Board’s upcoming agenda.
Accessibility and smaller projects: members reported that Shoop Gardens will receive an accessible picnic table and that DPW engineers can draft the accessible parking pad and walkway; the commission also discussed extending a narrow fishing pier to improve usability while preserving original foundations.
Data to support future investments: commissioners discussed a low‑cost usage‑data pilot at Wixen (motion‑triggered cameras producing photos every 10 minutes when active). Early results show consistent court use even in off‑season weather, and several members recommended deploying similar short pilots at Johnny Kelly Park to quantify year‑round demand for bathrooms and other amenities.
Next steps: staff will circulate the consultant’s deliverable when available and the commission will coordinate further with DPW and the Select Board on scheduling design funding or construction authorization.
