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Walkersville commissioners debate senior center size, cost and timing; staff asked to refine specs
Summary
A lengthy Sept. 10 discussion exposed wide variances in proposed senior center size (estimates ranged from about 8,000 to 20,000+ sq ft) and cost (estimates cited from roughly $1.6M to $3.2M). Commissioners directed Commissioner Yoder to tighten specifications and return refined numbers for an October vote or further action.
Commissioners spent substantial time on Sept. 10 debating the scope, size and projected cost of a proposed Walkersville senior center, with several members saying they supported the concept but wanted tighter specifications and clearer cost assumptions before soliciting bids.
Commissioner Yoder said he would refine the proposed program and square footage and bring back tightened numbers for the October meeting so the board could make an informed decision. Commissioners raised specific concerns about whether the town should plan for a commercial kitchen, how many people the center should serve, accessible parking and whether the town should seek a temporary off‑site location as a near‑term solution.
One public commenter (Dave Ennis) urged a feasibility study first to define rooms, sizes and services and to evaluate county service partnerships rather than immediately designing a large facility. Commissioners cited contrasting cost estimates—ranging from roughly $1.6 million on the low end to $3.2 million at higher end estimates—and noted differing square‑footage proposals (15,000–20,000 sq ft versus smaller 5,000–10,000 sq ft options). Staff recommended narrowing program specs to produce comparable bids and cautioned that submitting a poorly defined request would yield widely different contractor estimates.
The board did not vote to fund construction at the meeting. Instead, it directed Commissioner Yoder to tighten the proposal and return refined specifications and cost estimates for further consideration.
What’s next: Commissioner Yoder will refine program specs and sizing; staff will provide comparative figures and advise on feasibility work and potential temporary hosting options during the October meeting.
