SUNDERLAND — Members and visitors of the South County Senior Center will have the chance to check out a potential new home for the center during three walk-throughs on Tuesday, Dec. 16, at noon, Wednesday, Dec. 17, at 1 p.m. and Thursday, Dec. 18, at 5 p.m.
After weighing several options, the Senior Center’s Board of Oversight is considering the 12,150-square-foot office building at 112 Amherst Road in Sunderland, currently owned by Delta Sand and Gravel Inc. During community forums in October, South County Senior Center Director Jennifer Ferrara shared two possible renovation plans from edmSTUDIO’s feasibility study to convert the office building into a space suitable for the Senior Center’s activities, exercise classes, workshops, meals and other fundamental features.
Both renovation plans include modifications to the first two levels, including creating an open main lobby area and adding a commercial kitchen, wellness room and two multi-purpose rooms. Only the first option includes changes to the third level — renovating the space to install three restrooms, two storage rooms, a conference room and rooms for fitness, art and exercise classes. The second plan proposes leaving the third level as is, with its five office spaces and an open office space.
At the community forums, Ferrara told the audience that the study estimated the full renovation would cost nearly $6.44 million and the second option, the reduced-scale renovation without the commercial kitchen and third floor changes, would cost about $3.07 million.
During the Board of Oversight’s Dec. 4 meeting, Ferrara said the walk-throughs will allow curious residents and Senior Center members to get an inside look at the option beyond forums and discussions.
“We want to make sure that people have a say,” Ferrara said.
Ferrara said registration for the walk-throughs is encouraged, but not required. Email scsc@town.deerfield.ma.us or call 413-665-2141 to register.