The Bay Spring Community Center Has Its Work Cut Out For It

You may have read a recent story in Barrington Patch about how the coffeehouses held at the Bay Spring Community Center (BSCC) have been effectively closed down.  Indeed, the kibosh has been placed on all activities using the second floor of the BSCC.  Town officials made the move back in early June, citing that there were some Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) access issues that need to be resolved.  Until all issues are addressed, no one is allowed to use the second floor.

My first reaction was: wow.  That is harsh.  People were just trying to bring the community together with music and the arts.  The coffeehouses were an all-volunteer effort.  No one made any money.  They brought out the best in everyone involved.  Anyone and everyone was welcome to attend, and to perform eventually.   

Of course, it’s not that simple.

Once the initial shock of the news had sunk in, once I was able to speak with BSCC Board members and with various Town officials to hear their different sides of the story, I began to understand.

On the one hand, it seems that everyone on all sides of the debate is very supportive of the work that those involved with the BSCC and coffeehouses were doing.  Using the arts to make an underutilized Town asset vibrant seems like a good thing.  Everyone seems to see the value in this.

On the other hand, ADA regulations exist for good reason.  It is my impression that everyone involved with the BSCC and coffeehouses believe in the spirit of equal access and sincerely want to be inclusive.   But, once the issue of ADA compliance is raised, there’s no going back - it has to be addressed.  

Over the past several months, it seemed that there was genuine confusion about what the applicable ADA requirements were.  Everyone on all sides of the issue was offering what they knew about the requirements.  This confusion persisted until we (I) brought the State ADA Coordinator out to the building to do a walk through and explain once and for all what, in fact, is required.  It was Town Manager, Peter DeAngelis’s idea for us to seek out the appropriate person at the State level.  

Once the ADA coordinator toured the building, he clarified things promptly: the first floor is fine; given the size of the second floor, a lift would satisfy the accessibility.  A lift is sort of an “elevator-lite.”  To whoever claimed the BSCC needs a full elevator (which could cost some $150,000), he is mistaken.  The BSCC needs a lift.  A lift would cost much much less, like 80% less.  That’s a big difference.

So, the many community members who have worked long and hard to make good use of an underutilized Town asset, have their work cut out for them.  The process could go something like this:  Make the plans.  Have everyone sign off.  Come up with the money.  Go under construction.  And reopen. Have more great shows and programming that make our town a better place to live.

I hope it goes smoothly.  The question of where and how to get the money is a biggie.  Given that it is a Town owned building, it makes sense to me to assume that the Town will contribute some cash.  We have a group that’s come together who will seek and apply for grant funding.  We will host fundraisers.  We will ask for help.

Hopefully the good will demonstrated by all sides during this discussion will endure.  We’ll need it.