A rendering of the proposed Recreation Engagement Facility in Cranberry. Submitted image

CRANBERRY TWP — Following nearly two years of feasibility studies and public outreach, as well as a recommendation from an advisory committee, the township is ready to take next steps for a planned community engagement center.

Two contracts will be up for a vote at the Thursday, Nov. 5, board of supervisors meeting. A successful vote Thursday will continue to advance work on the recreation center.

The board will be asked to consider approval of a design development contract to Designstream LLC. According to township manager Dan Santoro, the contract is worth $1,339,356.

“That would take us to the next steps with the design that allows us to get to true cost estimates and understanding of what that project will look like moving forward,” Santoro said.

The second contract is for Sports Facilities Companies, a company that plans, funds and develops recreation facilities across the U.S.

The contract is for consultation about operating the planned community center, as well as the finances of building the facility, according to Santoro.

“As we are designing with our architect, we’d like to use (Sports Facilities Companies) as consultants to help us understand design choices relative to cost,” Santoro said.

To prepare for any board decisions, some supervisors, along with Santoro, have done field tours at various sports and recreation facilities recently, Santoro said. The trips helped officials better understand aspects of the center, such as storage and control points, he added.

In August, the committee put forward their recommendation of a 100,000-square-foot alternative to the original 180,000-square-foot plan model, which is projected to generate similar revenue.

The facility will have 20,000 square feet of turf and four basketball courts which can also be used as up to eight volleyball courts according to Kyle Beidler, assistant township manager.

“Specifically, each basketball court can accommodate two volleyball courts, meaning the layout is intended to support both activities interchangeably,” he previously said.

The center is planned for a 10-acre property at the intersection of Rochester Road and Thompson Park Drive.