Reading Center for Active Living (ReCAL) presentation
(3-4 minute read)
On March 28, town officials and community members gathered at the Pleasant Street Center for a presentation on the proposed Reading Center for Active Living (ReCAL) project. The discussion covered the project’s location, cost, financial impact, and opportunities for further community engagement.
Watch here on the RCTV Youtube page.
Key takeaways from the presentation
Project cost & location - The ReCAL Center has been recommended by multiple boards and committees to be constructed at the Symonds Way location, with an estimated cost of $27.9 million. This decision follows a comprehensive evaluation of alternative sites, including renovating the Pleasant Street Center and a potential facility on Oakland Road.
Financial impact - Town Accountant Sharon Angstrom outlined the projected tax impact of the ReCAL project, estimating a combined potential annual impact $612 per household when factoring in the Killam Elementary School project. A tax calculator will soon be available on the town’s website to help residents assess the financial implications for their specific properties.
Opportunities for engagement - Residents will have additional opportunities to learn more and provide input at upcoming community discussions. These will take place on April 2 at the Performing Arts Center at Reading Memorial High School and remotely via Zoom on April 16.
Community discussion
Following the presentation, residents raised several questions and concerns:
Use of the facility - Some seniors voiced concerns that the ReCAL Center could shift towards becoming a broader community center rather than a dedicated senior facility. they sought clarification on the policies that would ensure senior programming remains a priority.
Proximity to the gun range - Attendees discussed potential noise issues due to the site’s location near the gun range. Some seniors expressed reservations, while other - particularly parents whose children play at nearby athletic fields - shared that they had acclimated to the noise over time.
Facility size & justification - Questions arose regarding the necessity of a facility of this scale, with some attendees asking whether current senior center participation levels justify the proposed design and cost.
Project overview
Over the past decade, extensive planning and research have gone into assessing the needs of Reading’s senior community. Various studies and surveys informed the formation of the ReCAL Committee in 2021, which reviewed three potential solutions: renovating the Pleasant Street Center, constructing a new facility on Oakland Road, or developing a new facility on Symonds Way. After thorough deliberation, the Select Board, Council on Aging, and Permanent Building Committee unanimously chose the Symonds Way site. The Permanent Building Committee has approved the $27.9 million budget.
Key upcoming dates include:
May 1 - Town Meeting will review and vote on proposal.
May 13 - The project will go before Reading voters for approval.
Facility & programming
The ReCAL center will house Elder & Human Services, Veterans Services, and Recreation programs under one roof. The facility, situated near the Burbank Ice Arena and Athletic Fields, will feature a gymnasium, fitness equipment, senior lounge, multipurpose rooms, game rooms, and art & crafts spaces. the site will also include a wilderness walkway and pickleball courts (separate from the ReCAL project).
Priority for facility use will be given to residents aged 60 and older. During times when senior programming is not in session, the center will be accessible to youth after school and to adults, including seniors, in the evenings.
For more information, watch the short video about ReCAL here.
Financial Considerations
Town Accountant Sharon Angstrom presented an analysis of different borrowing terms (12, 20, 25, and 30 years). A 15-year loan was deemed the most fiscally responsible option, as it minimizes interest costs.
Key financial details:
Tax impact per household - Approximately $265 per year for the average Reading homeowner ($29.78 per $100,000 of assessed home value).
Offsetting debt reduction - As existing debt from past municipal projects (Wood End School, Reading Memorial High School, and the Library) is retired, this will reduce the annual financial burden by an estimated $387 per average homeowner.
Combined impact with Killam project - When factoring in the Killam Elementary School project, the total estimated tax impact is approximately $612 per year for an average household, which equates to about $51 per month or $12 per week.
Residents are encouraged to use the upcoming tax calculator to understand how these costs will impact their specific household budgets.
Photo by Taylor Gregory.
