WHITEHALL TWP., Pa. — Should Whitehall Township’s dream of building a community recreation center at Jefferson Street Park come to fruition, it will come at a cost.
That cost is $13 million.
At a workshop session Monday, the township board of commissioners heard the results of a feasibility study from representatives of project engineering and architectural firms.
Funding would come from a combination of grants, capital campaign, private gifts, perhaps a bond issue and other streams of private funding.Stephanie Milewski, a senior project manager with HRG Engineering of Allentown
Jessica Klocek, an associate partner at MKSD, an Allentown architectural firm, presented a review of the existing Jefferson Street Park and made recommendations as part of the studies for the proposed recreation center.
Stephanie Milewski, a senior project manager with HRG Engineering of Allentown, joined Klocek during the 30-minute presentation.
Funding would come from a combination of grants, capital campaign, private gifts, perhaps a bond issue and other streams of private funding.
The next step in the process involves revisions to the draft of the recreation center feasibility study based on feedback from the community and the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.
The DCNR funds projects involving the rehabilitation and development of public indoor and/or outdoor park, recreation and conservation areas and facilities, such as playgrounds, skateparks, ballfields, pools and splash pads.
Conclusions
The MKSD and HRG assessment of the year-long study and site analysis of the three existing buildings at Jefferson Street Park concluded:
- Concession building: Aging, has infrastructure issues, no ADA access. Recommendation: Demolish the structure
- Community building: Still in use, in good shape, needs minor upgrades. Recommendation: Maintain the building and rent it
- Pool building: Aging, not up to code, not ADA accessible. Recommendation: Demolish the structure and build a new facility
“At some point, we have to spearhead some things. We have to look at recreation as an investment.”Randy Atiyah, secretary, Whitehall Township Board of Commissioners
“The study is a close look, not specific details, of how to furnish it,” Milewski said. “It’s just a big picture of the building.”
Input from township residents was taken during public events and from an online survey of what they would like inside and outside the recreation center.
“People made suggestions about what they’re looking for,” Klocek said.
The top four responses from community members were a gymnasium for basketball, volleyball and other sports; an indoor walking track; a group exercise and weight/cardio equipment area; and meeting rooms.
Among other responses were a racquetball court, indoor pool, multiple full-court basketball courts, a small stage attached to an open area, open mic nights, bingo and a computer education space.
“We took that information and melded it together,” Milewski said.
“We also studied the economic impact of what the building could do. We wanted to learn how the community wants to use the building.”
Other considerations, timeline
Other considerations in the feasibility study included access to the community, traffic flow in and out of Jefferson Street, aesthetic appeal, community identification, code compliance and parking and pedestrian access.
The timeline:
2025: Capital campaign; funding for design.
2026: Design; funding for construction; programming finalization and considerations.
2027: Finalize construction documents; finalize site design; secure permits; bidding and contract awarding.
2028: Building construction (18 months); development of staff job descriptions.
2029: Construction complete.
“This time, I think we have a very good plan to work with and a direction.”Whitehall Township Commissioner Ken Snyder
“We’ve worked on this for 15 months until now,” Commissioner Ken Snyder said. “The biggest part is affordability and options.
“When we started looking at this, it was for it to be part of the community in Whitehall.”
Snyder voiced concern that, despite the committee having spent a significant amount of time on the project, it “dies on the vine.”
“This time, I think we have a very good plan to work with and a direction,” he said.
'Recreation as an investment'
Brandon Hibbler, township bureau chief of recreation, said he is asked repeatedly if he wants a recreation center.
“People ask if I want a rec center or don’t want a rec center,” Hibbler said during the workshop session. “I’m neutral; I just want what’s best for the community.”
“It’s very easy to say no; let’s find a way to say yes.”Whitehall Township Recreation Commission member John Kelly
Said Commission Secretary Randy Atiyeh: “I moved as a young age from Allentown to Whitehall. I can’t tell you how much the recreation here has helped me and my siblings.
“At some point, we have to spearhead some things. We have to look at recreation as an investment.”
Atiyeh’s sentiments were echoed by John Kelly, a member of the township recreation commission.
“It’s not a rec center as much as it is a community center,” Kelly told the board. “It’s about becoming one Whitehall community.
“Building something like this … will bring together the community, different age groups, people from different parts of Whitehall.
“It’s very easy to say no; let’s find a way to say yes.”
