The Town of Malta Planning Board was updated on the status of the $6 million David R. Meager Community Center addition at its Tuesday, April 29, meeting.
Chris Rofti, of the Boston-based architecture firm BHA, told the board the expansion will total about 19,000 square feet and will include a Round Lake Library branch, gym and multipurpose community area. The gym will feature a full basketball court, two volleyball courts and two courts for multipurpose use. Though the gym100 feet in lengthis planned in a `barn aesthetic,` Rofti stated every effort will be made to make the addition visually appealing.
`Our desire is to break [the addition] down,` said Rofti, `not to make it appear like a monolithic structure.`
Ample amounts of cedar will be used to this end, both inside and out, he said. Trees displaced by the expansion will also be placed along Route 9, according to Ron Mogren of Saratoga Associates. Mogren explained plans for the outside spaces, including plenty of benches, floral plots and a pedestrian walkway leading to Route 9. He also outlined the plans for an 83-space parking lot.
Malta’s parks and recreation director Audrey Ball, also on hand at the meeting, stated members of the project have been working closely with Round Lake librarians to make sure their needs are met.
“