WILMINGTON, MA — The Wilmington Select Board recently received an update on the Senior Center Building Project from Public Buildings Superintendent George Hooper, who chairs the Building Committee, and the project’s OPM Dan Pallotta.
The $17.3 million, 18,000-square foot building is expected to open at the end of 2024.
According to Pallotta, the project’s design development phase is already finished. Construction documents will be finalized by the end of June. Bidding will be complete by the end of August. Construction is set to begin in September.
“We’re trying to stay on time and stay on budget,” stressed Hooper. “The estimated completion date is December 2024.”
“Our goal is to have Christmas there,” added Pallotta.
During a brief presentation, Pallotta highlighted some of the project’s design elements, including color palate; energy efficient, programmable lighting system; energy efficient VRF (variable refrigerant flow) with BMS (building management system) heating and cooling system; and a SIP (structural insulated panels) Roof System. Pallotta explained that some portions of the building can be heated while other portions can be cooled simultaneously.
Pallotta also discussed some of the project’s outdoor spaces, which include a walking trail, patios, raised planters, bocce court, a trellis-pavilion and 4 pickleball courts at the northeast corner of the site. The site intentionally features minimal landscaping.
Select Board members were particularly interested in the pickleball courts.
In response to questions from Selectman Greg Bendel, Pallotta confirmed that the pickleball courts would be lighted, but a water fountain is not currently in the plans. An emergency call box is under consideration.
In response to a question from Selectwoman Lil Maselli, Hooper explained that the pickleball courts would be fenced in, just like the ones at Town Hall.
In response to questions from Selectman Kevin Caira, Pallotta was not yet sure if any handicap parking spaces will be near the pickleball courts. There has been discussion about spreading out the parking lot’s handicap spaces, but no decisions have been made.
The Building Committee recently met for the 34th time last month. Meetings are open to the public. Residents are encouraged to sign up for the project’s newsletter HERE.
Below are recent renderings of the new Senior Center:
Like Wilmington Apple on Facebook. Follow Wilmington Apple on Twitter. Follow Wilmington Apple on Instagram. Subscribe to Wilmington Apple’s daily email newsletter HERE. Got a comment, question, photo, press release, or news tip? Email wilmingtonapple@gmail.com.
Wilmington Apple 