Help the Town plan future Community Spaces
Project Background
The Town does not have a community center or permanent recreation indoor space. We do have a well-loved and active library, but it has reached its space capacity. This is a fantastic opportunity to explore how one project can create a building (or buildings) that provide a broad range of services that improve the quality of life in our community.
Working with architects from Black River Design, the Project Steering Committee is tasked with conducting community outreach and providing feedback on different space options and configurations that will culminate in a feasibility report to the Selectboard and Library Board of Trustees later this year. The Committee is exploring the feasibility of a combined library/community center facility as one option, a second option of an addition to the current library and a new community center facility, and finally a third option of two separate new facilities. It is envisioned that a community center space would include areas for recreation, gathering, learning, and connecting in Town.
This is the first step in a multi-step process. The work by the Committee will include a financial analysis in the feasibility to understand both the capital (construction) costs and ongoing operational costs for different elements in one or more facilities.
Public Outreach Update as of August 2023
From March to April 2023, the project Steering Committee conducted interviews with over 250 community members. Building upon those initial conversations, a Phase 2 survey was developed to gather additional community feedback. The Phase 2 Survey was conducted from June 9, 2023 to July 2, 2023 and had over 750 submissions. On July 13, 2023, the Steering Committee was presented an overview of the survey results. The presentation is accessible by clicking here.
The Steering Committee sends a big “thank you” to the many community members who have participated in the surveys. The feedback provided offers highly valuable information to consider as the Town examines what types of spaces and space uses to explore further.
Questions? Please reach out to Williston Town Manager Erik Wells via email or phone at 802-876-1168.
Project Steering Committee
The Steering Committee is appointed by the Selectboard and represents the community in the process of determining what Williston residents are looking for in future community spaces. In partnership with a consultant, Committee members are soliciting input from the wider community. This information will be used in the assessment of the Dorothy Alling Memorial Library’s space and future needs, and looking at a Community Center Space.