BIDDEFORD — Biddeford’s public access station is arguably one of the most utilized in the state. The station not only produces and airs city council and other city meetings, it also airs hundreds of hours of citizen-produced programming each year.

Soon it will have a new home befitting the amount of work produced by the station.

Cable TV Committee members viewed the latest progress at the soon-to-be-ready public access facility on Pool Street Monday. While they seemed impressed by the overall work, there were some points of concern.

The cable access facility will move from its current overcrowded headquarters at the J. Richard Martin Community Center on Alfred Street once renovations are complete at the former Knights of Columbus building, next to the West-Brook Skating Rink.

The project, which will cost an estimated $477,000, is expected to be completed in mid-April, said Facilities Manager Phil Radding.

It will contain a large studio that can host a studio audience of more than 40 people, as well as smaller studio, several edit bays, a “green room” for guests, offices and storage space.

“It will be fabulous compared to what exists today,” said Cable TV Committee member Jim Emerson. However, he noted there are some disappointments with the building, such as a huge beam in the center ceiling of the main studio that will interfere with full utilization of  that space.

Radding said the beam was required because it was a load-bearing beam. Part of the renovations included reinforcement of the beam.

Public Access Director Steve Pulos said he would be able to work around the beam, but was disappointed renovation plans hadn’t included a solution to the issue since it was something he addressed when planning to move into the building began.

Pulos also said he wished there were additional bathroom facilities. The plans call for two unisex bathrooms with one stall in each room. Also, placement and the size of some of the doors weren’t to his liking.

All that aside, however, Pulos said the quality of the construction is excellent. Allied/Cook was awarded the building contract and an effort was made to hire local subcontractors. The roofing contract was awarded to Richard F. Nadeau & Son Inc. of Biddeford and Jim Godbout Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning, also of Biddeford, was awarded the plumbing contract.

Once it’s complete, Pulos said, it will probably take a month or two to move into the new facility. Public access producers will continue utilizing the facilities at the community center until the move.

— Staff Writer Dina Mendros can be contacted at 282-1535, Ext. 324 or dmendros@journaltribune.com.