Supervisors Take Fly Through Tour Of Proposed Doylestown Rec Center

DOYLESTOWN TOWNSHIP, PA — The Doylestown Township Supervisors on Dec. 20 got a glimpse inside the future Parks and Recreation Community Center slated to be built next to the township building in 2023-24.

The board of supervisors joined members of the public on a fly through video tour of the proposed 18,000 square foot building, which will feature multi-use spaces that can be used year round for everything from basketball and fitness classes to community events for all ages and private events and parties.

The video tour, put together by the building’s architect, begins in a brightly colored lobby and proceeds past an information desk to a large multi-purpose room.

The expansive room, which is dividable into three smaller spaces, can be used for programs and classes for adults and seniors, for enrichment programs, sports, wellness and special events, business meetings, birthday parties and more.

Across the hall, a kitchen will be available for cooking classes and for use during private events.

The building will also feature a patio event space with a cozy fireplace and two garage doors that can be opened during nice weather days to let in the fresh air.

The space will be home base for many of the dog training classes offered by the township and can be an option for any messy playtime activities.

And anchoring the center is an 84 by 50 foot full-sized gym. The gym is designed to accommodate not only basketball, but also volleyball and pickleball. The space can also be used for community events like craft fairs and more.

Portions of the video tour will be used as part of the township’s capital campaign fundraising efforts, according to Chairwoman Barbara Lyons.

In related action, the supervisors officially voted to form a capital campaign committee to raise funds for the construction of the new center, the transformation of field one in Central Park into tennis, pickleball, bocce and basketball courts and the construction of permanent restrooms near the amphitheater and Kids Castle. The combined project is estimated to cost about $9.6 million.

The nine member committee, made up of residents, supervisors and non-residents, will be tasked with raising $3 million for the project.

That's in addition to $1.5 million in grant money the township has already received from the state and secured by State Sen. Steve Santarsiero through the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program.

The supervisors are anticipating taking out a bond issue to pay for the balance of the project.

The supervisors also approved newly updated policy and procedures for naming rights at the new center, which is expected to assist with fundraising efforts.

The Board of Supervisors will be accepting letters of interest to serve on the Capital Campaign Committee. Letters may be sent to Doylestown Township, 425 Wells Road, Doylestown 18901 or emailed to info@doylestownpa.org.