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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06/07/2004 Fishers Island Community Center June 7th, 2004 at the Village Office Attending: Jeanne Schultz John Spofford Judi Imbriglio Karla Heath Gail Cypherd Susele King Jan Cook Bruce Kinlin Sarah Moody Nate Gray Sarah Moody began by updating Bruce about past efforts to investigate the construction of a Community Center. The reasons included: a lack of recreational opportunities and appropriate locations for community activities, a need to help bolster the health and well being of the year round community. She began an effort five years ago with the needs of young mothers in mind. She sent 950 surveys out to the community and received approximately 25% back. Childcare and an exercise room were the top needs for both summer and year round residents. Unfortunately a number of other projects, such as the Museum, Doctor's office, bike path, and Walsh Park, were raising money and as a result the Community Center idea was put on the shelf until a need arose again. Judi spoke about the recent efforts that began in January, the survey's that have been sent to the winter and summer communities, the trip to Maine, and the results of the survey's. Jeanne said that our initial goals were to provide activities for the winter community during the off-season. Gail added that the IPP summer program has been such a success that it has outgrown the school's facilities and would certainly utilize the Community Center. Bruce wondered if we have a piece of property or one in mind? Sarah said that she has spoke with Chip duPont at the ferry district about the piece of property near the airport. Karla has also approached Chip about the idea and that piece of property. The Ferry District is open to the idea. Bruce said that in addition to the programmatic concerns are certain budgetary concerns, for instance, as the building grows to include all of our need, so will the overall project cost. He mentioned that there are newer "black-box" options for a theater that may be less expensive than a space that would be used exclusively as a theater. These options are multi-purpose, yet are still quite nice as theater and quite cost effective. Judi felt that the building should have as much multi-purpose space as possible. Gail said that a day-care center was a clear need and the use of that space is such that it may need a room exclusively for that use. Jeanne thought that storage was a key component and should be considered for each room. Bruce wondered if the kitchen would large enough to prepare full dinners or one that is mainly for warming food that is brought to the Center? Sarah felt that the kitchen needs the basic appliances, while Judi thought that the Center may need a fully functional kitchen because larger events, such as wedding parties, may be held there. Judi said that the Chebeague Recreation Center staff suggested that the office should overlook or be near the workout room as a way to provide oversight. Bruce wondered what is the plan to get from here to building a facility? How can he help or what is his role in that process? Sarah felt that we need to get a better understanding of the capital costs and the operating budget and then we'll begin to approach members of the community about raising money. Karla thought that conceptual drawings, ones that we could show to potential donors, would help with our fundraising efforts. Bruce said that he will put together "bubble" drawings to help establish relationships between rooms. These drawings will not have sizes, but will us to develop the relationships between rooms that will fit our needs. Assigning sizes to those rooms is the next step. Once the relationships and size of each room is agreed upon, we will begin to get a feel for the cost and can begin to look at the aesthetic for the building. At the end of the process, we'll have the schematics, essentially the plans and elevations. These drawings couldn't be used to build the facility but will be more than enough to show to potential donors or the community. Bruce recounted what he had heard from the group were the main pieces that needed to be included: Theater Large multi-purpose room (which mayor may not include a daycare center) Workout room Small multi-purpose room Bruce wondered if the large multi-purpose room could also act as the Y, gym, even though that was not a top choice among the respondents? Judi thought that it was a possibility. Gail said that the school gym is in use all day and another, smaller, one might help to alleviate some of that burden and allow more people to use the facilities. Bruce thought that we could create a set of drawings for an ambitious project, one that includes all of our needs, because that could raise a lot of enthusiasm for the project, even though we may have to eventually scale back our needs. Sarah said that more than the building cost, the operating cost of the building are a critical factor and a larger building will raise both costs. Gail thought that a large multi-purpose room that could be used as a Y, gym and with good acoustics could also be used as a theater if needed. Sarah wondered if the craft space could also be used as a multi-purpose room? Judi said that an arts & crafts room is high on some people's list. Bruce thought that from the conversation, a separate room was needed for arts & crafts. Sarah thought that it now seemed like the large multi- purpose room may need to be larger. Bruce agreed because the use of that room seems to be evolving and could fill many needs. Sarah said that the large room at the Mystic YMCA was large, but so large that it could accommodate all of our needs, particularly a y, gym. One small multi-purpose room certainly isn't enough for both daycare and arts& crafts. Susele said that she had seen a staff office that double as meeting space and luncheon room, maybe this could work for us. Judi wondered if we also wanted to include the Village Office in the Community Center. Sarah felt that if the large multi-purpose room also serves as a theater the size would grow much more. Bruce said that maybe Harold's project at the movie theater will alleviate the need for a theater. Sarah thought that the 13,000 sq. foot number was too big, but if a theater is not included the number drops and some square footage could be used by the large multi-purpose room. Bruce wondered what the building might look like, though deciding on the look is one of the last steps of the process. Everyone felt that we need a building that fits into the neighborhood and should look like the fort row buildings. John suggested that Bruce spend some time at the Museum with Pierce Rafferty exploring the old photos of the area. John wondered what Bruce's timeframe was. We would like to show the drawings before the end of the summer. Bruce could have the bubble drawings within 10 days, but it will take a few meetings to use those bubble drawings and determine the layout. Certainly, within two months we could have schematics. John wondered ifit would be helpful if the group tried to determine individually how many people would use the community center and then meet again to compare numbers? Each person will do that. Next meeting -- With Bruce, tentatively, June 18 or 21 in the Village Office. He will contact Judi with the date