WESTBOROUGH – The first round of gathering input for the community center project has been completed.
The town conducted a public session, via Zoom, on Monday, Aug. 5. Residents also had a chance to have their say via an online survey that closed on Friday, Aug. 9.
During the Zoom meeting, representatives from BH+A, the architects selected for the project, presented possible scenarios based on the feedback they’ve received.
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In one scenario, the first floor would include offices for the senior center, veterans services and a visiting nurse, as well as a kitchen and a lounge/ café.
Another first-floor scenario would include offices, a blackbox theater and a gift shop.
Second-floor possibilities include a walking track and toddler playspace.
The community center could be used as an emergency shelter, a polling place for elections and pop-up shops; in addition to veterans, other organizations could use the space, including Westborough Youth & Family Services (for its holiday shop), Westborough TV, Westborough Connects and local Scout troops.
The representatives also discussed having one main entrance or two.
Resident Joe McManus stressed the need for the seniors to have their own dedicated space. He also asked whether the architects have discussed this project with those tasked with the repair project for the Westborough Public Library, and with the renovation/replacement of the Westborough Golf Club.
“We need better coordination” with these projects, he said.
In response, Town Manager Kristi Williams said BH+A has been in contact with representatives from the other two projects to reduce the chance of duplicating programming or meeting space.
McManus also commented on the noise level at the center. On the first floor, “you can hear the sound of basketballs” on the second floor, he said.
Joel Bargmann of BH+A said that issue will be addressed.
BH+A is scheduled to present updated scenarios before the Select Board on Tuesday, Aug. 20.
