COMMUNITY ATHLETIC AND RECREATION CENTER UNDER CONSTRUCTION AT GARRETT COLLEGE

The Garrett County Commissioners received an update this week on the $23-million Community Athletic and Recreation Center (CARC), now under construction at Garrett College.   The report was given by the College's Dean of Administration and Finance, Josephine Gilman, during the Commissioners' staff meeting. About 15 County department heads and agency representatives attended the Tuesday morning event.

Gilman reported that Hess Construction and Engineering of Gaithersburg recently received a "notice to proceed" to begin construction of the aquatics' center and the gymnasium foundation pads.

"The construction schedule, right now, is on track for a September 1, 2011, completion date," Gilman said about Phase I of the CARC project, the aquatics' facility.

The 32,000 square-foot aquatics' building will include two indoor swimming pools, a fitness center, and a physical therapy facility.

Phase II consists of a 32,000-square foot gym with three regulation-size basketball courts and seating for up to 2,000 people.  This phase is expected to be completed in early 2012.

Gilman said all the required coordination meetings with County stormwater management, sediment and erosion control, and Maryland Department of the Environment representatives have been held, and coordination between the parties is ongoing.  She added that Hess has subcontracted Beitzel Corporation of Grantsville to complete all of the excavation and stormwater work.  The Dean noted that the local company has "doubled up" many shifts and will work on an accelerated schedule throughout the summer.

"[This is] in the hope that if we do get a mild winter, we should be a little bit ahead of ourselves," Gilman said. "But if we get a bad winter, at least we'll be prepared for it by accelerating the work during the summer."

Currently, the stormwater pond and other stormwater infrastructure is being installed and work is beginning on the retaining wall.  The pad for the aquatics' center should be completed by this September, and the gym pad, hopefully, will be finished before November, Gilman said.

Because of the construction, the College is addressing safety concerns.  For example, before the fall semester begins, a temporary path with lighting will be built from the residence halls to the main campus to enable students to avoid the construction.

"When necessary, the College is going to provide a shuttle service, but our goal is to keep students off Mosser Road, essentially," Gilman added.  She also noted that the Garrett County Roads Department may install flashing yellow lights on Mosser to alert motorists that there is construction in that area.

"The College is extremely grateful to the County for your support in the development of the complex, and we truly believe it's going to be a major asset for health and wellness for the whole community," Gilman told the Commissioners.

The state has earmarked $15.5 million for the CARC project, and Garrett County will contribute the remaining $7.5 million.

Gilman also introduced the College's new president, Dr. Richard MacLennan, to the Commissioners and other County officials.  MacLennan has visited the College several times since being appointed in April, but came on campus permanently on July 19th, Gilman said.

She noted that the president had his first, almost full day of CARC briefing on Monday with the architects, contractors, and College staff.

"I don't have a lot to report; I'm doing a lot of learning right now," MacLennan told the Commissioners.  He did note that enrollment for the fall semester is "on par" with last year's figures.

The president indicated that a big part of his decision to come to Garrett County was based on the strong partnership between the College, County, and local agencies.  "It's really something I have not seen in any of the other communities I have lived in, to the extent that I have in Garrett County," he said.

MacLennan added that he views the college as being part of the solution in creating access to the rest of the County for education and being part of its economic development.  "The College is made up of a lot people who are committed to the mission of Garrett College and of this county, and it's just a pleasure to be here," the president said.

Story courtesy of The Republican newspaper.