Community meeting next week to discuss new preschool, amenities at Scarboro Park

Posted at 12:57 pm August 20, 2018
By Oak Ridge Today Staff Leave a Comment

An image showing what the Oak Ridge Schools Preschool could look like in Scarboro Park. (Image courtesy City of Oak Ridge and Studio Four Design)

Project could move into bid phase in September

As plans progress for the new Oak Ridge Preschool and Scarboro Park improvements, Oak Ridge municipal leaders will provide an update on the project during a community meeting on Thursday, August 30. The meeting is scheduled from 5:30 to 7 p.m. next Thursday at the Scarboro Community Center. Discussions will focus on recreational amenities in Scarboro Park as well as the current status and next steps for the preschool, a press release said.

WHAT: Community meeting on Scarboro Park and new preschool

WHEN: Thursday, August 30, at 5:30 p.m.

WHERE: Scarboro Community Center, 148 Carver Avenue, Oak Ridge

Previous public meetings have provided an overview of conceptual designs, architectural plans, recreational park amenities, and the projected budget, the press release said. Meetings were also an opportunity for citizens to ask questions and provide input as decisions were made.

Oak Ridge City Council and the Oak Ridge Board of Education voted last year to select Scarboro Park as the location for a new preschool. Prior to this, the City of Oak Ridge and Oak Ridge Schools had been working to choose a site for approximately two years. Once the building is complete, the preschool will relocate from the school administration building on New York Avenue to its new facility on Carver Avenue.

A representative from Studio Four Design will host the upcoming community meeting, along with the Oak Ridge city manager and city staff members. Oak Ridge Board of Education and City Council members will also be in attendance. Citizens will be able to ask questions and will be updated on upcoming stages of the project as it moves to a bid phase in September, the press release said.

In May, the Oak Ridge City Council authorized the final designs of the Preschool and Scarboro Park Renovation, as well as of the Senior Center. The two projects together could total about $13 million. The Senior Center and Preschool have been on the city’s wish list for a decade or two—or even longer.

In that unanimous May vote, City Council authorized Studio Four Design Inc. of Knoxville to proceed to the final construction design of the two projects. While the Preschool will be at Scarboro Park, the Senior Center will be at Alvin K. Bissell Park.

For more information, call the Oak Ridge City Clerk’s Office at (865) 425-3411.

See previous preschool stories here.

More information will be added as it becomes available.

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