Whitehall Township Board of Commissioners voted on several motions and a resolution at the April 13 meeting, all considering the possibility of a proposed recreation center in the township. The center comes with a price tag of $10 to $20 million, depending on different scenarios as to what the township is looking to build and what amenities they believe the residents would utilize the most.

The board unanimously approved a resolution to create an ad hoc committee to evaluate the feasibility of the proposed recreation center. According to the agenda, the committee would consist of three sitting commissioners and three at-large appointments to gather information, make assessments and provide recommendations concerning the proposed recreation center.

“The ad hoc committee is necessary to get the community involved,” Commissioner Ken Snyder said.

Snyder reminded the board that all the motions regarding the recreation center that night were to keep the process moving forward, especially with the ad hoc committee serving as a guide.

Commissioner Taylor Stakes also added the committee would look at possible locations, review zoning and other regulations, consider costs and logistics and gather feedback from the residents. The committee does not have the authority to approve or move forward with a project of their own; they would simply provide recommendations to the commissioners, who would then discuss, debate and vote on any agenda items regarding the recreation center.

The mayor, deputy mayor and director of recreation would also sit on the ad hoc committee, along with three residents or business owners from the township, according to Stakes. All the members would be appointed by a majority vote from the board.

The board also voted to direct the township administration to obtain a proposal from MKSD for architectural design services, which would include a constructed, detailed plan for the scope of work for the proposed recreation center.

Snyder brought this motion to the board, explaining it is important in moving one step further toward planning the recreation center, should it be approved by the commissioners in the near future.

Snyder explained the township would obtain a proposal from MKSD to draft architectural plans for the recreation center. This would also include the use of professional services, especially to ask for bids from companies to build the recreation center.

Once the bids come back to the township, the ad hoc committee would review them and give their recommendations and opinions, possibly recommending a final bid.

“It starts the process moving further down the road,” Snyder said.

Solicitor Jack Gross reminded the board they were not approving any work that night, only for a proposal to be completed by MKSD. If they wanted to vote on any work more than $25,000, Gross reminded them it would have had to come back to the board in a future meeting for a vote, especially to be advertised on the agenda ahead of time.

Commissioner President Jeffrey Warren said the “design is going to be very critical to get the cost of it.”

After discussion, the MKSD motion passed in a unanimous 7-0 vote.

The board also voted 7-0 on a motion to begin the preparation of a request for proposal for project management/construction management for the proposed recreation center.

When it comes to the purpose of this motion, Snyder said the township would seek companies interested in completing the development of the recreation center.

Deputy Mayor Jack Meyers said the project or construction manager would be the company the township would be reaching out to for facilitating meetings, noting the construction manager would be the one who “designed the specifications, made plans with the architect, inspections and work with the general contractors.”

Additionally, the board passed a motion, with a 7-0 vote, that would direct the township to obtain a proposal from Keystone Consulting Engineers regarding a phase 1 environmental study of the proposed recreation center.

The environmental study would possibly determine an official location for the recreation center, whether it’s the board’s previously proposed location of Jefferson Street or not.

Warren said when the recreation center was first discussed, it was proposed to be more centrally located in the township. He mentioned the board could possibly explore other options for the location of the recreation center, including, for example, Range Road.

He argued there may not be room for possible expansion and auxiliary activities on the field at Jefferson. Warren also mentioned, as of the current zoning ordinance, the site doesn’t meet the proper parking requirements.

Snyder argued the parking requirements are “overregulated,” and they could build half of the parking and add additional spots later if needed.

Snyder and Commissioner Lee Christman both argued it should be Jefferson.

“When you go to Range Road, which is a township asset and could be used, based on information we had in other circumstances and sessions, I think that could be one of the biggest mistakes this township could make,” Snyder said.

Warren argued they may not have field space at Jefferson, but Snyder disagreed, saying there was plenty of space. Commissioner Randy Atiyeh agreed with Snyder about Jefferson having enough field space.

“We would need to make a zoning change in order to deal with the lesser parking if we would need more in the future,” Snyder said. “None of this project encroaches on the existing field. The fields could still be used and utilized.”

Stakes argued the decision should be made after the ad hoc committee forms and makes a recommendation about the placement of the recreation center.

Gross noted this motion was simply asking Keystone to provide a proposal for the environmental study, noting Keystone may make proposals for both Jefferson Street and Range Road.

He noted they aren’t spending any money on the motion, but it’s simply a proposal to decide if and how the board wishes to spend money on the project.

A representative from Keystone Engineering said the first phase will depend on the history of the project site. The price would also depend on the previous uses of the site, which would drive the price of the environmental study, they said.

A title search was on the agenda, but Gross recommended tabling this vote until the board knows for sure where the center will go, saying they shouldn’t do title searches for several sites.

“This motion should wait until you’re sure you have that result,” Gross said.

“If you’re going to spend a lot of money, you better know where you’re putting the building,” Meyers agreed. “Why would you spend the money if you’re not convinced?”

A grant service vote for the recreation center was tabled as well, due to it being covered under the service agreement.