WATERVILLE — The Planning Board on Monday voted to approve, with conditions, revisions to a previously approved plan for the Alfond Youth Center at 126 North St. that include an expansion for a $6.12 million family wellness center.
The Harold Alfond Foundation is granting the center $6.12 million to develop the wellness project. As part of plans, more than 15,000 square feet is expected to be added to the building, 49 parking spaces will be developed on the northwest side of the building, and 31 spaces are planned for a community garden area across North Street, though that latter number could change, according to officials.
Al Hodsdon of A.E. Hodsdon Engineers, of Waterville, and Mark Lee, a principal and project architect for Harriman, of Portland, presented the revisions, which include a 50-by-80-foot addition on the back of the building and a 90-by-40-foot addition west side. The number of parking spaces to be developed on the west side of the building was initially 60, but that number was decreased to 49 because propane tanks that were to be removed will be staying, officials said. Hodsdon said the idea was to use natural gas, but officials decided to maintain propane instead.
Renovation of the existing building will create space for programs that promote family health and well-being. The first floor will be renovated to include a youth wellness center, a teaching kitchen with a nutritionist and a chef, an indoor turf field, an additional gymnasium and family locker rooms.
The second floor will include an adult wellness center with fitness equipment, a child care center, a health care partner and an indoor running track. A welcome center, teen space, gathering area, community gardens and a greenhouse will be included as part of the project.
The Planning Board considered the revisions under the city’s subdivision and site plan review ordinance.
Member Bruce White moved to approve the site plan finding of facts and Tom Nale seconded his motion. They and Board Chairman Paul Lussier and member Scott Fortin voted in favor, and Mark Champagne abstained from voting. His son is Nick Champagne, former Planning Board Chairman who is employed by Hodsdon and worked on the Alfond Center project, although next month he will become the city’s engineer to replace Greg Brown who is retiring.
Conditions for the site plan include that approval for the revisions be received from the state Department of Environmental Protection and the Waterville Sewerage District charge a permit fee for connection of the proposed catch basin to the district’s system, as well as an annual fee for that basin.
Mark Champagne also abstained from voting on a request to approve findings of fact as they relate to shoreland zoning; Lussier, Nale, White and Fortin voted to approve.
Lee said most people will not see major changes on the outside of the building where the additions will be constructed.
“The exciting part is more on the inside,” he said.
Construction is expected to start in late spring or early summer and officials expect it will be completed by Thanksgiving. Sheridan Corp., of Fairfield, is the contractor for the project.
Amy Calder — 861-9247
Twitter: @AmyCalder17
Send questions/comments to the editors.
Comments are no longer available on this story