ReCAL Project Moves Closer to Reality - Project Update

Oct 30

The Reading Center for Active Living (RECAL) project continues to make great progress. Over the past year, the Town has achieved several critical milestones, moving the project from concept into reality.

Spring 2025: Town Meeting & Debt Exclusion Vote

Following the Permanent Building Committee's site selection last fall, the project reached two major approvals in the spring of 2025. Town Meeting voted in strong support of the project, followed by a successful debt exclusion vote.

Summer 2025: Design Development Phase

Throughout the summer, the design team, in collaboration with the Permanent Building Committee and key stakeholders, worked through the Design Development (DD) phase. During this stage, the project’s vision took on more detailed form, including architectural planning, building systems, material selection, and site development. The result is a more refined and functional design. Click here to see the designs.

Fall 2025: Procurement & Bid Preparation

As the Town moves into fall, the project management team is finalizing the design and preparing to move into procurement. This includes the prequalification process, where interested contractors are vetted to ensure they meet the standards required for a project of this scale. The bidding phase it set to begin soon after, bringing us one step closer to breaking ground.

Winter 2025: Permitting, Policies & Programming

This winter, the project team will move through the permitting process with the Community Planning and Development Commission (CPDC) and Conservation Commission. These reviews will address site design, traffic, parking, and environmental considerations to ensure full compliance before construction.

At the same time, Elder and Human Services along with the Council on Aging and Recreation staff are developing an operations plan for how the new Center will function once open, including scheduling, programming, accessibility, and overall building use.

What’s Next? – Community Engagement

In the coming months, the project will advance into the construction bidding phase, followed by contractor selection and eventual groundbreaking. The Permanent Building Committee will continue to share updates and opportunities for public engagement through the upcoming project website, you can watch recordings here.