Arts, recreation centers in York's capital improvement plans ...

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November 19, 2012 2:00 AM

YORK, Maine ? Big ticket items planned for the town and schools within the next three years include a $5.5 million auditorium or performing arts center, and a $3.5 million recreation and community center that may be combined with a private group's plans for a Greater York Recreational Complex.

The Capital Planning Committee for proposed town and school expenditures is expected to prioritize projects at its next meeting at 8 a.m., Wednesday, Nov. 28, in the superintendent's office. The committee is also asking the Friends of the Greater York Recreational Complex to attend its 8 a.m. meeting Wednesday, Dec. 5, also in the superintendent's office. The meetings are open to the public.

Capital expenditures for Fiscal Year 2014 currently total $2 million, but increase to $7 million in 2015 and $8 million in 2016. It's still early in the capital planning process, as the committee held its second meeting about the new budget year on Nov. 14.

Capital projects for 2014 include $350,000 for major drainage, $400,000 for Bog Road construction and $670,000 for school improvements, such as new roofs for both elementary schools, paving at York High School and athletic field upgrades at the high school and middle school.

Another $102,000 is in the 2014 capital plan for the permitting and design for the replacement of the Long Sands bathhouse. In 2015, $585,000 is on the capital plan to expand the bathhouse by realigning Long Beach Avenue around the existing traffic island.

Much of Wednesday's discussion centered on school projects and the 2015 plan for a new auditorium at the high school. The proposal has been on the capital plan for years, said John D'Aquila, a School Committee member who serves on the Capital Planning Committee.

"The need goes beyond the high school," he said, with others agreeing the auditorium should be built for use by the entire community. Committee members suggested the auditorium be called a performing arts center to reflect its use by community theater groups.

The York Village Study Committee suggested a performing arts center could be located on town-owned land behind Coventry Hall on Long Sands Road, to draw people downtown, said Selectman Scott Fiorentino, a Capital Planning Committee member.

No one yet knows how a $3.5 million plan for a town recreation and community center in 2015 fits in with a proposal by the private Friends of the Greater York Recreational Complex to build a multi-million recreation and sports facility on Bog Road in York. The Friends' complex began with a proposal for a pool and tennis courts, and has expanded, according to committee members. Financially, the town could consider paying to build the part of the facility that would belong to the town, the recreation and senior center, according to Yandow, while other areas such as the pool and tennis courts could be privately financed.

The Friends of the Greater York Recreational Complex are raising $20,000 to pay for a feasibility study, and will release the results of a survey gauging the public's interest, at a kickoff holiday cocktail reception from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 28, at the York Harbor Inn. Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 at the door. For information, e-mail laurel.pollard@greateryorkcomplex.org.

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Source: http://www.seacoastonline.com/articles/20121119-NEWS-211190320

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