Many of us utilize the Community Center building. It belongs to every islander and serves as an important gathering place. Visit the building on a rainy day and you will witness families playing games, painting ceramics or visiting the library. The building has become more important to our community as the island continues to grow and the demand for new programming increases. Whether you have been on the island for a long time, are a new owner or a long time renter, the Community Center has probably been an integral part of your Frye Island family experience.
The Community Center building had not had any significant renovations since 1991. In 2019, the EXCOM initiated the assessment of the condition of the building in order to provide a safe and inviting environment for our community. While the building was determined to be structurally sound, there were safety and maintenance issues that needed to be addressed. The total list of work was divided into phases and in 2022 the EXCOM voted to move forward with the project.
Read more about the project phases below:
AC / Heat:
- HVAC installed on the left side of the building’s first and second floor and 1st floor lobby
Lift:
- Installed, including necessary build out and electrical work
- Relocated emergency exit double doors to accommodate lift
Front Door:
- Emergency push bar installed on front doors
- Access control installed
Flooring:
- Carpet replaced in the Great Room and balcony
- Flooring in bar and lobbies replaced
- Repaired and rebuilt the sub-flooring in bar area
Painting:
- Lobbies and upstairs "bar" area
- Solid doors painted
Chimney removal:
- Removed chimney, enclosed wall and framed for future doors and sheet rocked
Electrical:
- New outlets were run to the kitchen area and rewire switches 1st and 2nd floor
AC / Heat:
- HVAC installed in the Great room, balcony, bar, library, completing the entire building for HVAC.
Storage:
- Built storage area at the site of the old chimney on 1st floor
Completed:
Water Station:
- New water fountain and bottle filler installed in the main lobby
To be Completed:
Storage:
- Complete storage unit siding and roof
- Siding from the front of building will be reused on storage area
Siding: (Front of building only)
- Install new shaker siding to match other town facilities
- Remove existing siding on front of building.
- Reuse on new storage area and for repairs around building
Access Control:
- Install access control on remaining door: (Teen room, Great Room, Fitness, 2nd floor meeting area, Balcony)
Lighting: (Great room and Balcony 27 old sodium lights)
- Replacing high wattage sodium halite lights with LED lights frees up electrical usage and allows for AC units to be installed without major retrofit of electrical service
Windows: (Front of building only)
- Replace operating windows on the front of the building (not plate-glass windows)
Remove Through Wall Fans:
- Remove through wall fans (x2) and patch siding using siding from front of building
Bathroom Renovations:
- New flooring
- New high flush toilets
- New mirrors and lights where needed
Picnic Tables:
- Provide 6 picnic tables at the outdoor tent and playground area
Sale Shade:
- Sale shade for rear deck
Fitness Center expansion
The Community Center Building needs your help. In order to start Phase IV we need to raise at least $150,000.
Phase IV is a critical phase that completes the upgrades to the building infrastructure including emergency exit doors, windows and access control. Phase IV also create a gathering area on the balcony for adult social events where Islanders can meet and enjoy some entertainment, light food and adult beverages. This will provide a much needed non-tax revenue stream for the town in an effort to keep taxes low.
Phase V will provide a standalone fitness center that will more than double the size of the existing fitness area on the second floor of the Community Center.
Donations: Please consider making a donation to this project. The refurbishing of the Community Center will enrich the lives of islanders today and for future generations.
Tax-deductible donations can be made to the Town of Frye Island Community Center by check, cash, securities and in-kind at Town Hall. Thank you for your support!
Thank You: We would also like to take this opportunity to thank the many islanders that have donated their time and efforts to this project, with a special thanks the Clement, Vesprini and Hartman families for their generous donations of equipment and materials during Phase I, II and III. We would not be where we are today without your help in making this exciting project a success. Thank You!
For more information, please contact jay.nardone [at] fryeislandtown.org (jay[dot]nardone[at]fryeislandtown[dot]org)
