ROCKLAND, Maine — The Rockland Community Center is undergoing more repairs in an effort to preserve the historic structure.
Work began this week on bricks and mortar to the structure that serves mainly as the recreation center for the community.
Surface Cleaning Experts Inc. of Gray was awarded the contract to do the work with a bid of $231,683. The work is being done because the building has been plagued by leaks that have created mold problems inside.
Rockland voters approved borrowing up to $675,000 in November to make repairs to the building. The masonry project is part of that $675,000 bond.
Once the masonry work is done, which is expected to be late July, there will be drainage work done around the building and some roof work, said recreation Director Rene Dorr.
Dorr said the city will then see if the leaking has stopped. If the leaks have been stopped, the city will commission mold remediation in the building next spring.
The city spent $661,000 in 2009-2010 on the building which includes some exterior masonry work. Much of the earlier work, however, involved installation of a new gym floor, locker rooms, bleachers and handicapped accessibility.
The community center was built in 1935 through the Works Progress’ Administration undertaken by the federal government during the Great Depression.
The city also received a grant this year to build a sidewalk on the east side of White Street and then the north side of Limerock Street adjoining the community playground at the recreation center property. The sidewalk will extend to Union Street. That project will cost approximately $65,000.
The recreation center will remain open while the exterior work is being done this year, Dorr said.
How much more money is going to be spent on this building. You can call it grants to fix it, but it really is tax money. Maybe we should join the y and the city can get out of the rec business.
That would work, but Rockland isn’t eligible to attract a Y, and who the hell wants to go to Rockport?
Perhaps if people spent less time complaining about how things work, and spent more time pitching in via time/talent, expenses wouldn’t be so high. I assume the prior poster is probably one who feels that ‘too much’ is being spent on education as well. Well someone spent the money for your education at some point, where was the complaining then. Especially, given the end product.