Work continues on Lauri Ann West Community Center in O'Hara, fall opening eyed

A glance from Powers Run Road at construction of the Lauri Ann West Community Center belies what soon will be an expansive gathering spot for residents in the Lower Valley communities.

The $9.3 million facility being built to suit growing program needs reaches far across the 11-acre campus it shares with the current Boyd Community Center, which outgrew the space it needs for 400 classes, workshops and clubs.

“The design is very intentional,” said Paul McComb, executive director of the nonprofit center. “Why wouldn't you come here? There is literally something for everyone, from birth to the elderly.”

Work on the 28,000-square-foot center began this summer and is progressing at a quick pace, community center board member Enzo Santilli said.

“Finally, some dry weather in the summer as well as getting the building under (a) roof enabled us to move into high gear with the construction efforts,” he said.

Fundraising also is moving along, with less than $950,000 left on the capital campaign.

Leaders hope for a fall opening.

“Our goal is not to have any down time,” McComb said. “We'd love to move into a fully complete site, but in order to get parking and everything else we need, we might get a partial opening at first.”

McComb knows the transition will be dramatic for users of the center, currently housed in the 1960s-era elementary school.

They'll go from playing bridge in cramped classrooms to the new site's “program wing” with four multi-purpose rooms suited for anything from yoga to art to photography. There also will be a room for the center's afterschool arts and enrichment and another space for fitness.

Near the programming corridor will be a café with an outdoor patio where parents can grab a snack and relax during their child's class.

“Or it might be a great place for adults to sit and talk after they work out at our new fitness center,” McComb said. “We're trying hard to eliminate any barriers for people.”

The fitness center, a 4,000-square-foot paid-membership service, is expected to generate revenue for the center. It will be equipped with a family changing area, showers and equipment to service the first-timer to the elite, McComb said.

There will be a child-watch room so adults who are using the fitness center have a safe place for their youngsters. A multi-purpose room nearby will accommodate local theater group StageRight, as well as rentals for parties and lectures.

A highlight of the new center will be the regulation-size gymnasium, with volleyball and basketball courts, and an elevated walking track.

“Everything we do here is open to everyone,” McComb said. “There's nothing that's just for a specific population.”

Cody Nicholson of Aspinwall visits Boyd now and said a walking track will be a great addition.

“It gives you somewhere safe to walk in the winter and all the windows still make you feel like you're outside,” he said.

The open-floor design by RSSC Architecture includes stonework on the exterior, modeling the look on old-time barns that used to dot the O'Hara landscape. A mural that depicts life in the Lower Valley — with foxes, flowers and streams — will be the centerpiece of the lobby.

This fall, the Boyd building will be demolished and that space will be paved for a parking lot. Users no longer will be able to access the center from Locust Road but will use a new entrance off Powers Run.

Santilli said the board is working hard to attract members with high-quality and diverse programming.

In 2014, more than 3,000 people participated in classes offered at Boyd.

“The idea is to take what we do at Boyd and take it to the next level,” McComb said.

Tawnya Panizzi is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. She can be reached at 412-782-2121, ext. 2, or tpanizzi@tribweb.com.