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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-11-26-CCAC-rptRecommendations Our charge was to create a concept of a community center. Through our research, the task force created a concept of a center with coordinated and collaborative services, a comprehensive information and volunteer capability, created and designed for all members of the community, with long- needed space to bring us together, with events to promote our cultures and passions, and age- targeted programs that meet the current and future needs of our residents. We feel that this concept can only be realized by having a central location: a building. Programs and Services • Move Recreation Department and Human Services Department into the community center to share resources and expertise • Create a centralized information and volunteer service, possibly part of the main lobby with both digital and personal interfaces • Encourage casual gathering and drop -in activities • Provide interest -based activities and programs to encourage intergenerational contact • Add therapeutic programming to reach more members of the Lexington community • Encourage neighborhood- sponsored activities Synergistic Building Concept Rooms Large Dhisible Small Counseling Art Computer p Infornal aS Eating and Meeting\ 6 0 tj Area 0 it D° 0 p on ao 13 00 0 n °x0 0 0 a Conversational Table Seating Seatin j s tP 01 Main Entrance Town Information/ Volunteer Center November 26, 2012 Prior to the survey, we created a graphic representation of the preliminary community center concept. This is not a design we recommend. It is presented here to help visualize the concept and understand the synergy of locating the services and activities for all ages in one place. Final Report 23 Facilities Based on our review of best practices in other communities, the types of programs the facility will need to support, and the requirements of the groups who will be served, we recommend the facility include the following elements: • Dedicated senior and teen spaces • Flexible rooms to accommodate from 10 up to 200 people for meetings, exercise, and activities • Rooms for private meetings • Exercise room with exercise /fitness machines • Shared office space for community organizations • Informal area for eating and gathering, including a cafe • Commercial kitchen • Arts and crafts space with sink and uncarpeted floors • A stage for peer performances and smaller performance events • Accessible throughout • WiFi available in the building • Auditorium or access to a nearby auditorium or plan to add one • Full size gym or enough room to include one • Ample parking • Easy access either through proximity to the town center or being located on all public transportation routes • Adequate storage space for community center activities and other town recreation activities • Outdoor space for programming 12 A commercial kitchen is required to meet Board of Health requirements for serving food to the public. Food that is cooked from scratch on -site is much more appealing and encourages greater participation. November 26, 2012 Final Report 24