Blakely residents urge accessibility, traffic studies and senior services for proposed community center

A public-comment session after the Jan. 20 Blakely Borough Council meeting drew detailed suggestions and questions from residents about the proposed community center, with commenters emphasizing traffic impacts, hours and supervision, and services for older residents.

Residents and stakeholders outlined specific design priorities and raised procedural questions at the 6:45 p.m. session. Paul Sotak thanked council for the forum and urged an indoor turf surface so spring weather does not limit youth sports. Judy Whitman asked, "What are the hours going to be?" and whether the borough maintains a curfew; she also pressed whether security or supervision would be provided and how parking and traffic on First Street would be controlled. Eric Fino asked whether a traffic-impact analysis has been done and whether intersection or diversion improvements are planned at Hospital Street, Main Street and Gino Merli Drive.

Why it matters: The council is seeking community input as it finalizes plans and potential leases for space inside the center. Planners will need to reconcile resident requests — including circulation and curb/parking controls — with site constraints and budget limits, and several commenters emphasized the borough's older population when outlining program choices.

Resident priorities and specifics Brandy Sokoloski, who said she was born and raised in Peckville, supplied a long list of recommendations and cited borough demographics to underline her priorities: "Nearly 1/3 of our residents are age 65+ (31%)," she said, and urged a "generously sized Senior Center" with a full kitchen, outdoor covered gathering space, raised community gardens, accessible elevated walking platforms and space for cultural events. Sokoloski proposed either a small dedicated theater (100–200 seats) or a movable stage in the gymnasium for performances and community programs, and suggested revenue-generating activities such as bingo, trivia nights and ticketed events to help the center be self-sustaining.

Other commenters submitted written lists of desired amenities including exercise classes, a walking track, multiuse party rooms, a gaming area and CPR/first-aid offerings. Bonnie Woodworth detailed senior programming, a reading area and a gift-shop/concession plan in written comments.

Questions about property and operations Several residents asked technical and operational questions the borough has not yet answered publicly: who owns the parcel behind the First Street parking lot; whether the borough has acquired wooded land near Thompson Court that had survey tape; whether parking areas will be curbed to control access and whether Thompson Court survey work relates to the community-center project. Judy Whitman also asked what Wayne Memorial's role will be if, as she said, "Rep. Mullins is going to have his office here."

Council response and next steps Borough Secretary Christopher R. Paone acknowledged the comments and said the borough is soliciting input; he also noted there are site constraints that limit options such as rerouting traffic, responding to Al Gillow's suggestion that circulation be reversed. Paone said the council will review the public input as planning continues. No formal action or vote on the center was taken at the Jan. 20 session.

The next procedural step is for council and borough staff to compile the public comments and apply them to design and permitting planning; residents will have further opportunities to comment as project design advances.