Since some posters have mentioned it, we thought it would be helpful to zero into how the Pods factor into the Community Center project and what we think is the most rational path for the activities there.
Neither of the existing currently proposed designs contemplates a new home for LEAP, although I do agree with Diana that there are definitely capital needs there. There are three pods. In both designs POD B would be LIGHTLY renovated and stay as a standalone facility to host LEAP. In one of the designs the two other pods would be torn down and in the other design they would be incorporated into the Community Center. The cost of renovating the LEAP pod was estimated at $1.125MM in 2018, using the same cost inflator used for the overall project, the updated cost would be approximately $1.6MM, which corresponds to 6% of the total Community Center project cost. We argue that the town has other public space to host the activities hosted in the Pods today, if at some point in the future they are not deemed further usable. LEAP as well as all of the after-hours Parks and Rec school-age-activities, which represent the vast majority of the program's indoor offerings, could easily be hosted in what is otherwise a brand-new empty school. There is already a precedent of a Parks & Recreation activity, namely IMLEM, using the school, specifically the 8th grade hub, to conduct its activities. We are sure other adult activities could also find accomodation. Adult basketball for example is already hosted at Reed Gym. As it relates to Parks and Rec Department (PRD), there is no urgency in finding the Department a new home. Once that happens, as anyone who has stepped foot into that office can attest, they only need a small fraction of their current space to house three employees. We are certain either the school or the 15,000 sqft Town offices could find space for them. Let us not conflate a discussion about the future of PRD and LEAP, which can be easily fixed at no incremental or a small cost, with a $25MM project with no other apparent incremental goal other than hosting COA. > On Oct 26, 2022, at 9:15 AM, DJCP <djcp0...@gmail.com> wrote: > > > My kids go to LEAP, the after school program, and we frequently use the Pods > for community events and rec dept programs and generally hanging around after > school and the Pods are in tough shape. Much like the school building was > before the renovation. I am sensitive to costs, but significant overhaul of > the Pods is needed in the imminent future. Costs are only going to go up if > we put the project off. And I like the idea of rolling the senior center > into the school campus as it would be nice to have the communities intersect > more. (The Girl Scouts in particular already do service projects for the > COA&HS and it would be great to expand that.) Again, I am sensitive to cost, > not just for me but the community, but I hope everyone can keep an open mind. > > Diana > Giles Rd > >> On Wed, Oct 26, 2022 at 8:27 AM Louis Zipes <louiszi...@gmail.com> wrote: >> Maybe I missed it and I could be very wrong it but I think part of this >> project also takes into account the Hartwell Pods/Bemis Hall and the cost to >> sustain those/replace them going forward. That might or might not factor >> into the overall cost and design we are seeing. >> >> There have been community center meetings so I think I personally need to go >> back and watch them to be better educated. >> >> https://www.lincolntown.org/1019/Community-Center-FAQs >> >> >> >> >> >>> On Wednesday, October 26, 2022, Joanna Owen Schmergel via Lincoln >>> <lincoln@lincolntalk.org> wrote: >>> What about the cost for ages 65 to 79? >>> >>> I do think low cost access to indoor year-round swimming is important for >>> our older population. >>> >>> Many might find $199 a year to be a lot. >>> >>> If there is some kind of access to certain facilities at Hanscom for >>> seniors that would be very good information to have. Hanscom has fantastic >>> health & fitness facilities. >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPhone >>> >>> On Wednesday, October 26, 2022, 7:55 AM, Maureen At Beede >>> <maureensbeedeem...@gmail.com> wrote: >>> >>> Lots of Lincoln seniors use beede center in concord. Full access for >>> $199/year if over 80. >>> >>> On Wed, Oct 26, 2022 at 7:52 AM Joanna Owen Schmergel via Lincoln >>> <lincoln@lincolntalk.org> wrote: >>> Just out of curiosity, I wonder if our Lincoln seniors could ever be >>> granted certain access to any of the phenomenal health and fitness >>> facilities at Hanscom? >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPhone >>> >>> >>> On Wednesday, October 26, 2022, 7:41 AM, Elaine Hawkes >>> <elainehaw...@gmail.com> wrote: >>> >>> Thank you Seth and others for bringing up the community center. It’s >>> something I have been discussing with other youngish seniors (LSRHS class >>> of 1971)and have a number of concerns. Although I don’t yet use the senior >>> senior, and do think one with an elevator is important, I’m not sure how >>> many older adults in town use it regularly. In my cohort, there is a >>> greater worry about high property taxes and whether we can afford to >>> continue to pay them if a community center is built. >>> >>> “If you build it they will come” >>> (https://www.lincolntown.org/documentcenter/view/35385) Is this true, >>> particularly with ongoing concerns about covid and availability of classes >>> and meetings on Zoom? >>> >>> There are few offerings for adults through the Rec Department. Is that from >>> lack of space or lack of interest? Most people I know go out of town for >>> programs. >>> >>> I’m not happy with the design which appears to have a lot of wasted space >>> in its “open concept”. With heating prices going up, how much will it cost >>> to heat this big building? >>> >>> I also think the world has changed since 2017 when this community center >>> was first discussed. I would rather the town spend its money on mixed >>> income housing, for example, which it needs. And, Lincoln’s older homebound >>> adults could stay in their homes if they had more services paid for by the >>> town. This would be a good use of money for seniors. >>> >>> Lastly, if an expensive community center must be built, can we at the same >>> time look at allowing more Lincoln homes to build accessory apartments and >>> backyard cottages? This would help seniors pay their higher taxes, and stay >>> in their large homes while benefiting non-high income folks looking for >>> Lincoln housing. >>> >>> Elaine >>> -- >>> The LincolnTalk mailing list. >>> To post, send mail to Lincoln@lincolntalk.org. >>> Search the archives at http://lincoln.2330058.n4.nabble.com/. >>> Browse the archives at https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/private/lincoln/. >>> Change your subscription settings at >>> https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/listinfo/lincoln. >>> >>> -- >>> The LincolnTalk mailing list. >>> To post, send mail to Lincoln@lincolntalk.org. >>> Search the archives at http://lincoln.2330058.n4.nabble.com/. >>> Browse the archives at https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/private/lincoln/. >>> Change your subscription settings at >>> https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/listinfo/lincoln. >>> >> -- >> The LincolnTalk mailing list. >> To post, send mail to Lincoln@lincolntalk.org. >> Search the archives at http://lincoln.2330058.n4.nabble.com/. >> Browse the archives at https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/private/lincoln/. >> Change your subscription settings at >> https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/listinfo/lincoln. >> > -- > The LincolnTalk mailing list. > To post, send mail to Lincoln@lincolntalk.org. > Search the archives at http://lincoln.2330058.n4.nabble.com/. > Browse the archives at https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/private/lincoln/. > Change your subscription settings at > https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/listinfo/lincoln. >
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