Rockland to Relocate Recreation Department, Eyes Sale of McKinley Building

Move to former brewery site expected within 6 months; daycare to remain at McKinley for upcoming school year

ROCKLAND, MA - July 9 - The Rockland Select Board has voted to relocate the town's Recreation Department and Community Center from the aging McKinley building to a new site at 406 VFW Drive, the former location of Article 15 brewery.

Town Administrator Doug Lapp announced the decision at Tuesday's Select Board meeting, saying the move is expected to occur within six months, potentially by New Year's.

"This decision was really made with the strongest effort to try to support the recreation department, support their programs, support the community center, so it can continue long into the future," Lapp told the board.

The relocation comes after extensive deliberations by the Select Board in recent months. One board member described it as "a very difficult decision" that involved "a very long detailed discussion."

Lapp said the town has appropriated $500,000 for one-time costs associated with the move. The lease terms include a minimum 10-year agreement with up to three separate 5-year renewal periods, potentially extending occupancy up to 25 years.

The decision to relocate stems from concerns about the high costs of renovating the McKinley building and constructing a new facility. Lapp said studies looking at building a new recreation facility at Hartsuff Park produced cost estimates that were "not palatable."

In conjunction with the relocation plans, Lapp announced he will recommend a warrant article at the next annual town meeting to authorize the Select Board to sell the McKinley school building.

"We'll receive money in payment for that building, and most importantly it will put it back on the tax rolls," Lapp explained. "We'll have a recurring revenue stream going forward."

Despite the Recreation Department's planned move, the school committee and administration have committed to maintaining the daycare program at the McKinley building for the upcoming school year. Lapp said discussions are ongoing about a permanent location for the daycare program.

"I want to state as clearly as I can publicly that the school committee and the school department administration has committed to maintaining the daycare program," Lapp emphasized. "It will definitely continue at McKinley for the upcoming next school year."

He noted that Recreation Department staff were informed of the decision earlier in the day and responded positively. "They are you know, I think happy that a decision's been made and they're ready to move forward," he said. "They're looking forward to being in a new space where they're not going to have to worry about the condition of the building anymore."

The town will now work on finalizing lease terms and preparing the new space, which will require construction of a gymnasium, multi-purpose room, and offices.Lapp said there will likely be some challenges with the transition, but praised staff for their enthusiasm about the move.