SWAMPSCOTT — A proposed community life center in Swampscott is beginning to take shape, with residents voicing support for a space that could bring together recreation, lifelong learning organizations, and community spaces under one roof.
The Community Life Center Feasibility Study Task Force held a public discussion on Thursday to share preliminary data from a townwide survey and gather open-ended feedback from community members as consultants continue evaluating what such a facility might look like in Swampscott.
The survey has gathered nearly 700 responses, close to meeting the task force’s original goal for the project.
“Our goal — you know, we’ve got about 15,000 residents — you know, if we could get 5% to fill in the survey, that would be really great,” task force Chair Anneka Kumli said. “And we’re almost there.”
David Eisen, a partner at Abacus Architects consulting on the project, said about three-quarters of respondents indicated that they would likely support a community life center if funding could be assembled through a combination of public investment, private fundraising, and membership fees.
When residents asked how tax dollars might be used to fund such a project, task force representatives acknowledged that a community life center would be a significant cost — though Kumli stressed that the task force’s current scope is in the more preliminary conceptual stages of the project.
“There’s been no sort of direct questions around how this would get paid for,” she said. “Where we are in the process right now is more about ‘is this an interest?’”
Eisen presented a breakdown of the wide variety of interests identified by survey respondents. While he noted that a few amenities were highly ranked, there was really a blanket level of interest for just about everything. Among the most popular were classes and workshops, walking paths and gardens, outdoor performances, a cafe or casual dining space, yoga and fitness programming, arts and crafts, and a teaching kitchen.
Eisen said that the range of responses reinforces the idea that the building should be adaptable enough to accommodate a community with a wide variety of needs, which may change over time.
“One thing we know is, we’re not building this for 5 years or 10 years,” Eisen said. “We’re building this for 50 years or longer. So we want that flexibility.”
The proposed community life center would combine activities run by the senior center — which is outgrowing its home at the high school — and the recreation department, as well as provide other community-oriented social gathering spaces. Eisen introduced possible plans that include multiple “multipurpose rooms,” or flexible areas that could be used for a wide variety of programs and activities.
“The entire point is that this is a community life center that includes people of all ages,” he said.
Task force members said they have also begun evaluating potential locations throughout town, looking at factors including available land, parking, accessibility, neighborhood compatibility, conservation constraints, and future development potential.
The meeting was held in the aging gymnasium at the old Clarke Elementary School, built in 1952, which is the current home of the Swampscott Recreation Department. At previous meetings, the site had been floated as a potential development space, though task force members stressed on Thursday that no preferred locations have been selected.
Much of the discussion centered on the role a community life center could play beyond recreation. Residents suggested it could become a gathering place for civic organizations, educational programming, performances, and community events. Some even wondered whether it may be able to provide a new home for community organizations like the local food pantry.
Kumli, who shared her experience growing up in Boulder, Colorado — a town with three community life centers — said the overall goal is to create a place that encourages residents to connect with one another.
“I think the intention to convene is here, and I think that intention needs to be fostered,” she said. “One of the ways you do that is by creating opportunities … having regular programming … that’s how you start meeting people.”
She added that a dedicated community space helps newcomers and transplants become involved while giving longtime residents another place to gather.
“If you’re new or you’re feeling disconnected or you’re feeling lonely, it’s easier to walk into a place and decide you’re going to go to the class because you know it’s scheduled and you know where to go,” Kumli said. “Maybe you just decide you’re going to go get a coffee, and then you can look at the board and see what the schedule is.”
Task force members said the survey is still open for responses over the coming months as consultants refine programming, potential sites, and conceptual designs, with more opportunities for public feedback and discussion to come.
