By Dawn De Busk

Staff Writer

NAPLES — A group given the mission of looking into the need for a community center is recommending that one be built in Naples.

“The committee feels that the town should build a new community center for Naples that would house the town hall, a gym and 911 shelter and a contracted space for the Post Office,” according to a letter from the Community Center Exploratory Committee.

“We feel this move would benefit the residents of this town for current needs and the growth as more residents move into Naples,” the letter said.

Earlier this month, the Naples Board of Selectmen heard the committee’s endorsement to indeed build a community center in the space where the town hall now exists, reasons why the center is needed, and the recommended square footage.

Selectman Bob Caron II, who served on the committee, shared the information contained in the letter.

The proposed community center would have about 4,000 square feet more than the current town hall building, Caron said. It would be built in phases, he said. According to the current proposal, the gym would be in the center with the town hall on one side and the Post Office space on the other side.  

The proposed total square footage of approximately 19,000 breaks down as follows:

• Town offices and storage: 3,120 SF

• Post Office: 3,797 SF

• Gymnasium: 6,650 SF

• Storage space for gym: 2,100 SF

• Bathroom and showers for gym and 911 shelter: 500 SF

• Crosswalks kitchen: 600 SF

• Large meeting room with dividers 2,187 SF

So far, the community center proposal is only at the early conceptual stages.

However, the selectmen did give the go-ahead for the committee to meet with a designer to figure out if the square footage is possible on the property and then to get cost estimates.

As part of the plan, the playground on the southeast side of the building would be moved to Kent’s Landing thus giving more space for the proposed community center. 

As the board discussion wrapped up, Chairman Jim Grattelo said, “I am very comfortable moving to the next step, and having your committee start looking at numbers. So, we’ve agreed to move on to the next step.”

Caron said part of the next step might include tours of other building in Maine towns.

“There are a lot of community centers being built right now. The committee can go around and look at those,” Caron said.

The nine-member committee has been getting together monthly since February.

“Currently, our recreation department uses facilities in Naples and Casco to run activities for the residents of the community. With the recent vote, we will be losing the use of Crooked River School,” Caron said, reading the committee’s letter.

“After talking with [Community Activities Director] Peter [Ceprano] and going over the increased participation in recreation and seniors area, the committee feels that the space needed is not available,” he said.

“First, the gym is undersized. The gym roof is leaking and needs repair. Secondly, the Singer Center is not adequate. Thirdly, Peter has received calls from the library and other groups for space. Fourthly, our town offices are crowded and undersized for the growth of this town,” Caron said.

The proposed gym has a basketball court, a volleyball court and three pickleball courts. Plus, there would be bleachers that are collapsible to be more versatile.

“The committee thinks that the current location of the town hall is the ideal location for the new center and thinks the space could be better utilized,” the letter said.

Lastly, the design would allow for future growth and expansion, Caron said.