Plainsboro Rec Center Update
One of the major projects on the agenda for Plainsboro officials over the course of the next year is the conversion of the township’s former library complex into a community recreation center.
In May the Township Committee gave the go-ahead to township professionals to enter the next phase in the design for the renovation and expansion project, which will provide the space for the township’s recreational and cultural programs.
According to Township Administrator Robert Sheehan, architects are close to finalizing the plans, and construction plans are just about done. The plans will be reviewed by the Township Committee prior to going out to bid for the project. Those bid documents are currently being prepared.
Officials are anticipating that “the bid specs will be complete in January, and a cost estimate would be prepared and then the Township Committee would review that information, determine if they are comfortable going forward, and if they are, they would authorize the bid process,” said Sheehan.
“We would be into spring probably before we got a contract awarded and construction beginning,” added Sheehan.
Construction is estimated to take between 10 and 12 months, and under that scenario, officials are targeting early 2012 as a projected completion date.
“Most of the year, we’d be in construction,” said Sheehan. “Hopefully, we’ll start construction in the spring.”
“This is certainly going to be the number one project for the township this coming year,” he added.
Nicholas Duca, of D/H&K Architects in Moorestown, presented renderings in April that called for a revamping of the outside landscape and renovation of the former library facility that will create meeting rooms, a cooking area, computer training rooms, a drop-in center that can be accessed after hours, bulk storage areas, a painting and crafts room, and a large space in the center of the library that can seat up to 220 people for lectures and other activities.
The renovation of the 19,200-square-foot existing structure and the outside plaza surrounding it could cost up to $4.7 million, Duca estimated, presenting a packet of various expenses that included a number of alternatives for the project. The architect also provided a breakdown of all the costs, including site surveying and civil engineering fees.
Plans also call for modification of storm drainage. Low, drought-tolerant planting material will also replace the tall canopy trees that currently block visibility of the plaza. Duca also said that officials will keep the existing entrance ramp but will provide a longer ramp. Walls will also need to be repaired, he said.
Originally included in the plans was an outside stage overlooking the grassy area outside of the existing common building. Instead, to save costs, officials will keep that area grassy to allow for a stage in the future.
An important feature of the building will be the drop-in center, an isolated space off to the side of the building upon entering. The drop-in center will be used for community groups like seniors, special needs groups, children, exercise classes, and social activities for large groups. The bathrooms will also be modified to meet ADA requirements.
In addition, bulk storage areas will be provided along the side of the building to meet the storage needs over a number of years.
The central space in the existing facility will be used for arts and enrichment programs. The space can be used for art displays, lecture series, stand-alone displays, concerts, and other activities. It could seat up to 220 people.
The new facility will also feature new lighting, ceilings, and heating and air conditioning units. The existing roof will also need to be replaced, and work will need to be done to the windows and doors.
The total cost for construction alone was estimated then to be $4.91 million. However, Duca shows a total construction budget that came to a total of $3.95 million. That did not include other project costs, like furniture, civil engineering fees, design fees, site surveys, and other costs not typically included in estimates.
Duca said, though, that he did not want to report just the construction costs. So, he also added in a breakdown of those costs, bringing the entire budget to $4.74 million.
Global healthcare firm Novo Nordisk has already donated $75,000 toward the project. Plainsboro officials is looking into funding from the county.
