Although the audience was small, about 50 people at Jaindl Elementary School, discussion on the proposed community center in Upper Macungie, which started at 7 p.m., lasted until approximately 9:30 p.m. on Oct. 31.

Township representatives visited other communities that had recreation centers to see how they were operating.

The community center will be at the intersection of Grange Road and Lenape Trail. Site construction would start in 2018 and proceed into 2019 with building construction completed in 2021.

The work on the community center had been going on for approximately one and one half years according to Dean Haas of Keystone Engineering.

Several types of buildings were reviewed, the different uses that could occur in the building and the construction schedule were discussed. It was decided that a steel frame building would be the best type with considerations about spans, costs and longevity. Financing for the center was also weighed.

Haas gave five options for the project.

Option 1 featured two gyms with a proposed cost of $7.2 million. Option 2 has three gyms for a cost of $10 million.

The third proposal came in at $14.7 million with a 25-meter outdoor pool and a recreational pool.

The fourth option had a similar price with three gyms, an indoor pool and a 25-meter pool.

The last option proposal was for three gyms, a 25-meter pool indoor and an outdoor recreation pool.

This final building would cost $17 million.

Howard Kulp, of Howard Kulp Architects, discuss the floor plans and costs. This group was responsible for design of the building.

Township Finance Director Bruce Koller presented options for financing the project.

He anticipates funding through developer contribution, recreation receipts and available township funding. Some of the money necessary would be through financing by the Township.

Supervisors were concerned the money for the other recreation areas would be diverted to the new project.

They noted recreation fees would be declining in the future as available land for development is decreasing.

Paul Licata said Independent Park is underused and questioned why a new recreational area is needed.

Supervisor Jim Brunell replied they were trying to have more use of that park.

Dan Chaply asked if all the residents would receive a yearly bill to support the building.

Recreation and Events Coordinator Lynn Pigliacampi said the fee schedule would be flexible. Fees could be based on the activity or per person or per family.

Jodi Sammarco said there is a shortage of recreation in the township and the facility would help keep kids off the streets.

Supervisors, after listening to all the comments and testimony, acted on the issue.

Supervisor Kathy Rader asked how much money would necessary in next year’s budget to keep the project moving.

Anticipated cost would be $860,000, which would cover permitting, site development, design and engineering for Phases 1 and 2.

Supervisor Sean Gill then made a motion to set aside $860,000 in the 2018 budget for the community center.

Rader seconded the motion and it was approved unanimously.

Gill then made a motion to have the township work on a capital campaign to fund the rest of the project, including the pools.

With Rader seconding the motion, it was voted on and passed unanimously.

The board noted the would be a benefit to the community, there would be no taxes and the property values would be increased.