Cheltenham Township has been conducting a comprehensive study of its 16 facilities which included a public comment period from August 1 to September 30.
The study and corresponding public input intend to assess the viability and future of each facility. Options include selling, repurposing, replacing, or repairing/improving capital assets and centralizing some services.
According to a July 26 presentation, the total cost of the proposed projects ranges from $105 million to $142.2 million.
Going forward, the Township will host three additional opportunities for further public review and comment:
Wednesday, October 18: Board of Commissioners meeting (7:30pm, hybrid) – Review of public comment to date and brief presentation of the Facilities Report, which will be released following the meeting for public review and comment. The report will provide a compilation of the research that went into the July 26, 2023 presentation.
Wednesday, October 25: Public Budget Workshop (4:00pm, Zoom) – Public budget meeting where, among other things, the Board of Commissioners will discuss future financing plans for the Township.
Thursday, November 16: Special Meeting of the Board of Commissioners (7:30pm, Zoom) – To hear public input on the proposed concepts and report and deliberate on the concepts.
From the Township’s July 27 Manager’s update:
In the summer of 2022, Cheltenham Township engaged the design team of KCBA and Re:Vision Architecture to evaluate the condition of a majority of Cheltenham Township’s 16 facilities. This study will help to understand the extent of the facilities’ conditions and the cost to renovate them to ensure their mechanicals and structures are in good working order, are compliant with current building codes, and can meet current and future programming needs.
Over the years, the Township has had to make tough decisions on funding and maintaining its extensive and aging infrastructure while not unduly stressing our taxpayers – a very difficult balance. Every one of Cheltenham’s facilities is at a point where basic maintenance is no longer able to provide safe and comfortable user experiences. Significant and expensive capital repairs are required to keep these buildings in operation.
Our goal with this project is to take advantage of the opportunity presenting itself – to wholistically evaluate all of Cheltenham’s facilities and services to increase efficiencies, improve service, and engage in fiscal sustainability. While many of our facilities are experiencing significant issues, it is fiscally prudent to not just “fix things” or accept quick solutions. Our goal is to think outside of our usual boxes to consider how these facilities can best serve our community long into the future. We have spent a lot of time over the past few months asking, “What if?” and putting ideas up on the wall to see what would stick. These ideas have come from things we have seen and heard from you, our residents; our board; staff; and maybe just our imagination in order to help provide the excellent facilities, programs, and services our residents deserve.
For additional details and perspectives on the study, you can visit Cheltenham Chamber of Citizens’ website.
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