ReCAL reaches its highest point as town marks Topping Off Ceremony
(3-minute read)
A small crowd gathered on the morning of Wednesday, October 7, at the new Reading Center for Active Living (ReCAL) facility on Symonds Way to celebrate a milestone in construction: the final beam in place. Town staff, elected officials, residents, and community members involved in the project attended the ceremony, and the Empower truck was on site, serving coffee and treats.
A tradition at the top
A U.S. flag hangs from the final beam of the ReCAL building, topped with a small evergreen tree. Photo by Taylor Gregory.
The beam was already installed when the ceremony began, with a U.S. flag hanging from it and a small evergreen tree on top. Town Manager Jayne Wellman explained that the tree honors the construction crews through a Scandinavian tradition and represents resilience and growth, while the flag represents a commitment to one another.
Speakers
Town leaders
Wellman called the day a wonderful chance to celebrate the milestone and noted that the town broke ground at the site 150 days ago. She said it was amazing to see what a group of people can accomplish, and she imagined the life that will fill the building. She then thanked the construction crews, design team, town staff, and taxpayers for investing in the center and its residents.
Select Board member Karen Herrick said she was proud of how far the project has come and called it transformational for the community. She recalled that when Town Meeting agreed to purchase the property, the town had no vision for it yet. Herrick said she can already imagine the walking path and pickleball courts, and described the building as the town’s first high-performance building, a point of pride for a climate-aware community. She added that residents will have a place to go in the winter instead of staying home.
State delegation
State Senator Jason Lewis recalled when Mark Dockser, then on the Select Board, brought the idea to the Reading delegation. It seemed like a pipe dream, he said, but it shows what can happen when a small group works to bring others on board with a vision. He said the Pleasant Street Center has served seniors for a long time but lacks a facility suited to the future. He thanked the Council on Aging, Permanent Building Committee, Owner’s Project Manager, contractors, and professionals for bringing the project to life.
Sen. Jason Lewis delivers remarks as Rep. Brad Jones (left) and Rep. Rich Haggerty (right) stand beside the pdoium. Photo by Taylor Gregory.
State Rep. Brad Jones remembered the earlier discussions about the Pleasant Street Center, including its bathrooms, and said it is amazing to be here now. He noted that he visited the site a few weeks ago for the Killam groundbreaking and said the two projects show the town’s commitment to Reading's various generations. He thanked taxpayers for their investments.
Rep. Rich Haggerty thanked Sen. Lewis and Rep. Jones, who are ending their public service this year, as well as Wellman and Dockser for their leadership. He thanked the Select Board and taxpayers, saying the project speaks to what the town values. He said the building will bring more programming, space, meals, and interactions to the community, and noted it is coming in under budget and early.
Project partners
Mark Dockser of the Permanent Building Committee said he has been involved with the project for seven years and found it heartwarming to attend the ceremony. Speaking on behalf of the committee, he thanked the volunteers and staff who oversee the facility's construction. He highlighted amenities such as pickleball, a walking track, and proximity to Burbank, and said the project is on time and well under budget. He said construction has reached its peak, with completion expected in fall 2027, about a year from now. The facility will serve residents 60 and older but can serve the whole community, he added, thanking voters for supporting the project.
Mark Dockser addresses attendees at the ReCAL topping off ceremony on Symonds Way. Photo by Taylor Gregory.
Richard Hand of the Recreation Committee said the milestone wouldn't have been possible without Reading residents and credited coordination among town departments with managing the project’s many moving parts. He said Elder and Human Services, Veteran Services, and Recreation each said yes to the project. He described a place where people make new friends, seniors stay active, veterans come together, and generations learn from one another.
Ron Powell of the Council on Aging said the topping-off ceremony recognized the work done to reach the highest point. ReCAL will replace the Pleasant Street Center, and he said he looks forward to the facility opening a year from now.
