Wakefield staff report accessibility study for Albion property; gym floor and flag updates noted

Town recreation staff reported a series of facilities updates, including a study to improve accessibility at the Albion property and routine maintenance at the Civic Center.

Dan said the Civic Center raised a Juneteenth flag and that the gym floor is scheduled for refinishing over the holiday weekend. On the Albion property, Dan reported he toured sites with state delegation members and said Bill Renault, identified in the discussion as the town engineer and ADA liaison, indicated a study is underway to determine the best accessible entrance. The plan under study would add an exterior ramp and either a hallway or lift to reach the gallery; Dan said the lift under consideration would reach the second floor only and that basement access was not included. No project cost estimates or final decisions were provided during the meeting.

Committee members discussed whether town resources should continue to be invested in Albion or reallocated to the site of the former Nazarene Academy; Dan described those conversations as ongoing and said he would follow any direction from higher-level stakeholders. Staff said further conversations and assessments (including fire-safety evaluations) are planned before any final scope or budget is set.

The committee requested additional details and asked staff to follow up with cost estimates and timelines as the study progresses.