Aug 15, 2008 By Steve Ferris 3 min read

NORTH UNION TWP. – About 40 residents attended a meeting Thursday to learn and offer suggestions about plans for a municipal center that would include a gym, weight and exercise room and a multi-purpose activity room. Township supervisors and John Over Jr., president of K2 Engineering, the township’s engineering firm, outlined conceptual plans for the center that would be built on 2.7 acres of land on Commonwealth Drive the township has agreed to buy for $115,000.

“We think this is a proper thing for North Union Township,” said Thomas Kumor, chairman of the board of supervisors.

The building would be constructed in two phases, Over explained.

The first phase containing a 7,000-square-foot gym, a 1,000-square-foot multi-purpose room, which would also serve as a community room and senior citizens’ activity room, a 750-square-foot weight-lifting and exercise room, locker rooms and restrooms would cost $1.9 million to $2.3 million to build, Over said.

A babysitting service would also be available for people using the center.

The second phase, which would house municipal offices and a conference room, and have room for a tax collector’s office and a state representative’s office, would cost about $400,000.

Operating costs, including wages, utilities, liability insurance and supplies would cost approximately $118,000 a year, Over said.

He said the township would apply for $2 million in state grants from the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Department of Community and Economic Development or the Department of Aging.

Over said $1 million for the center has been included in the state capital improvement project budget.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture and foundations, such as the Mellon Foundation, also are potential grant sources.

The supervisors do not intend to use local tax dollars for the project, but a low-interest loan could be needed to match a grant, Over said.

Matching funds could also come from selling the naming rights to the center, renting the gym and multi-purpose/activity room, vending machine contracts or in-kind services, he said.

Residents’ desire for the center and the activities they would like to have there were determined through a survey and feasibility study K2 sent to residents.

Supervisor Curtis Matthews said the feasibility study was required to qualify for grants.

Over said 4,060 surveys were mailed out and 803 were completed and returned.

A basketball court, indoor running track, exercise room, community room, senior citizens’ activity room and an outdoor play and exercise area were the features residents wanted most, according to survey results.

The survey showed that 75 percent of those who responded indicated that the township needs a municipal center.

Kumor said he was encouraged by that amount of support for the center.

No timetable for construction has been set, but work could start sometime next year if grant funding is approved, Over said.

Responding to questions from residents, Over said the sewage office could be included in the second phase of the project.

Supervisor Robert Tupta said the township would keep the shed on Evans Station Road to store its trucks.

Fayette Area Coordinated Transportation would probably agree to provide bus service to the center, Tupta said.

He said the supervisors would create a recreation board to organize activities.

Tupta also said additional land around the center could be acquired.

Bob Garbart, Larry Russman and other residents said a center has been needed in the township for many years.