WINDHAM — A proposed community center is still a long way from fruition, but those involved in the planning envision a place for residents of all ages to enjoy a wide range of activities, from swimming to ice skating.

The committee charged with investigating the development of a community center in Windham presented its preliminary findings and recommendations Monday to the Town Council, and council members liked what they heard.

“It’s about bringing Windham from a livable community to a lovable community,” said Pat Moody, a member of the Windham Community Center Ad Hoc Committee.

Based on local surveys, the committee developed a list of potential amenities that the community center might have, including a gymnasium, locker rooms, fitness room, indoor walking track, commercial kitchen, adult/senior lounge, teen/youth hangout area, conference room, computer room and swimming pool, along with possible outdoor space to include an ice skating rink, walking track and trails, outdoor sports areas and parking.

“I want to let you know that we have a lot of momentum and support,” Moody said.

The presentation from Moody and other committee members is an early step in the process and does not represent any firm design plans or approval of the project.

The council gave the committee the go-ahead in March to explore the community center further after an online survey of more than 1,000 Windham residents found an overwhelming majority of respondents supported the idea.

The presentation outlined needs and opportunities related to a community center in Windham, identified potential stakeholders in the project, outlined potential sites in town that could possibly be used for a community center, identified assets and obstacles, discussed comparable projects from other communities, presented a vision and mission statement, identified potential funding sources and listed goals of the project.

“You didn’t have to sell me, but it will definitely sell people,” Councilor Jarrod Maxfield said after the presentation.

Maxfield asked if the committee had a timeline.

“I’ve got a shovel out in the truck right now,” Moody joked, also saying that the group should now work with a consultant in order to move forward. “It’s a little ways out, but I don’t want it to be too far out.”

The vision outline by the committee’s report says the community center would be a place for “multi-generational education, citizen and club meetings, activities, social services, sports and recreation, as well as celebrations of cultural diversity and the arts.”

Its purpose would be “to enrich and inspire our community through quality experiences, people and places,” the report continues.

The committee found two town-owned lots that could be “suitable” for a community center: a 24-acre parcel across from Hancock Lumber at the 302/202 rotary, and a 29-acre parcel by Manchester School.

Because the committee was not asked to come up with a specific design plan for   a community center, there is no estimate yet of what it would cost, Brown said.

Potential funding sources identified in the report include grants, donors, naming rights to the building and its various facilities, municipal funding and a voter-approved one-time tax.

The next step identified Monday night is to move forward with a feasibility study. Several councilors raised the possibility of applying for grants to help pay for the study.

The council did not take any votes related to the community center committee’s presentation, but several councilors commended the committee’s work thus far and expressed support for a community center moving forward.

“I’m blown away, and I’m also excited to move this forward,” said Chairman Dennis Welch.

“In the past, we haven’t invested in ourselves,” Councilor David Nadeau said. “Now’s the time.”

Nadeau also suggested that the project be built somewhere that provides an opportunity to expand with future growth.

“Until we pull our community back together with something like this, we are not going to get anything else that we want or need for the town itself,” said Councilor Donna Chapman.” I think we’ve been divided, and I don’t know why,”

“This is the time to bring the community together,” Chapman continued.

Other members of the community center committee are Beth Schidzig, Cathy Streifel, Parks and Recreation Director Linda Brooks, Joseph Crocker, Jason Elder, Steve Brown and Mel Oldakowski.

Matt Junker can be reached at 781-3661 ext. 123 or mjunker@theforecaster.net. Follow him on Twitter: @MattJunker.

Members of the Windham Community Center Ad Hoc Committy present their preliminary report.