Rec Center board selects building site

Efforts to bring the county a full-scale recreational center took a major step forward with a selection of building site.

The Susquehanna County Recreational Center board announced that the proposed site for the facility will be in Kingsley. The Board has entered negotiations with the Mountain View School District Board of Education to purchase a tract of land from the district.

“This is a major step forward for us,” said SCRC chairperson Ashley Kilmer.

By selecting a site, the process heads into the schematic design phase. The Center’s architects and engineers, Hemmler and Camayd, can begin design plans so actual costs of the project can be assessed by the builders of the project, Sardoni Construction.

“That will take us into the next steps of applying for funding and beginning a capital campaign,” Kilmer said.

After researching and considering several sites throughout the county, the Kingsley site was chosen over a possible site in New Milford on the grounds of the Blue Ridge School District.

Kilmer was cautious to emphasize the town locations of the proposed sites rather than their locations on either local school district. “We want to emphasize that this benefits the entire county and not a particular community,” she added.

Mountain View School Board President Jason Richmond said the district is glad to be a part of bringing the facility to the county.

“It’s been a long process, we submitted a land proposal six to 12 months ago,” Richmond said.

He added that the entire Mountain View board is in support of the project as each member sees a benefit for different parts of the community.

The actual details of the land acquisition have yet to be determined and will be negotiated as the construction and engineering teams conclude their studies and proposals.

Richmond said the board has worked through the process under the recommendations of district solicitor, Joe Gaughan.

Kilmer added that the idea of the SCRC is not merely to cater to the needs of county youth but provide opportunities for many different age groups.

“Yes, it’s going to bring athletic opportunities for area youth, but it’s also going to support the wellness of the entire area,” Kilmer added. “We are multigenerational and multipurpose.”

Kilmer said the Center will also provide meeting space for community groups and there are discussions on possible opportunities for preschool and programs for senior citizens.