Community center vision comes into focus

A pool received the most requests in a survey of Williston residents that asked what recreational elements they would like to have in a future community center.

COURTESY OF THE TOWN OF WILLISTON

BY JASON STARR Observer staff

It comes as no surprise that a community pool tops the list of recreational elements Williston residents would like included in a future community center.

That goal, long envisioned by community leaders, was evident in the Community Center Scoping and Library Assessment Steering Committee’s initial survey of res- idents this spring. The committee conducted surveys and interviews in March and April and summarized its findings in a report delivered to town staff in May.

Of the roughly 270 respondents, about half requested a community pool. Other elements — such as fitness space, an ice rink, a walking track, turf and tennis courts — received less than 25 requests each. In addition to recreational elements, the committee organized responses in other categories, including “gathering spaces” where a kitchen was the top request; “centers” where a senior center was the top request; “art and technolo- gy” where a makerspace was the top request; and “library” where more library space was the top request.

Community center prioritization survey available online at www.willistoncommunity.com.

Paper copies available at Town Hall, the library and the REC Zone.

“People want an inter-generational community space where residents can meet and gather … as well as an expanded library,” the report states.

Simultaneous to the committee’s survey, the Montpelier-based architectural company Black River Design created preliminary plans for a library expansion on the Town Green.

“The desire for a community center and recreation space has been a longtime goal of the town,” Town Manager Erik Wells said. “Our library is a tremendous asset and serves as a community hub that is facing space challenges for the future. The goal of this project is to determine a pathway forward for these community spaces.”

The committee’s report see COMMUNITY page 24

• Alexander Waskow bought a home on Mountain View Road from Nguyen Nguyen for $785,000.

• Abdullah Nassiri bought a condominium on Madison Drive from Arthur Limacher for $360,000.

• Benjamin Pratt bought a home on 1.3 acres on Ledgewood Drive from Mark Harvie for $1.76 million.

• Brian Dykstra bought a condominium on Kadence Circle from NorthridgeWilliston LLC for $749,900.

• William Lestage bought a home on Jakes Way from Shawn Tkach for $375,000.

• Alexander Tower bought a condominium on Bittersweet Circle from Randall Bickford for $447,500.

• Cynthia Breton bought a condominium on Commons Road from the Douglas L. White Trust for $425,000.

• Cyrus Dudgeon bought a home on Morgan Parkway from Pierre Desjardins for $470,000.

• Alexandra Lenes bought a home on 22