WYC delays construction

IBerkshires.com

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — The board of directors and Building Committee of the Williamstown Youth Center have decided to wait until spring 2012, rather than this fall, to begin construction of the new youth center facility on the grounds of the Williamstown Elementary School.

The timing of this ground-breaking will allow the Youth Center to move into its new facility in fall 2012. The benefits of this schedule include the following:

·  It avoids construction during the winter months. The design team felt that it could be quite costly to begin construction in October because the building might not be fully enclosed before the onset of cold weather. Providing tenting and propane heaters throughout the winter would be very expensive.

·  The revised start date provides greater planning flexibility. Once all aspects of the project are bid and the cost of construction is finalized, there will be more time to make any necessary adjustments. For example, if the guaranteed maximum price is higher than anticipated, adjustments to materials and design can be made in a more considered manner. Furthermore, if the price is lower than anticipated, some building enhancements that are being considered (for example, porches on the east side of the building) can be included in a timely fashion.

The “Together We Can” campaign has been extremely successful. Cash and pledges as of July 1 now total approximately $3.83 million.

“The success of the campaign and support of the community have been overwhelming,” said David Rempell, executive director of the Youth Center. “We are extremely excited about the construction of a new facility that will allow the Youth Center to continue to provide exemplary programs for the children and families in Williamstown and surrounding communities. Whether we move into the new facility in the summer or fall of 2012 is not an issue for us; what is important is a careful and thoughtful construction process that uses our resources in the most efficient manner.”