SANDWICH – Construction is underway on Sandwich’s new skate park and pickleball complex.
The project was approved earlier this year after three years of development and will feature a state of the art skate park, six pickleball courts, and two tennis courts among other features.
Recreation Director Guy Boucher said that entire complex will be completed in May of 2020. The skate park could finish up sooner than anticipated.
“The entire project is slated to be done within the year time frame, so by next May the project will be completed but as long as weather cooperates we could the see the skate park portion of the project being completed by mid-winter, maybe,” Boucher said.
“There’s a possibility we could have a soft opening if you will of the skate park in the next few months.”
While construction might finish up during the winter, the lines will not be painted until the spring.
Officials in Sandwich are hoping the recreational complex, known as Oakcrest Park, will eventually connect to the surrounding 48 acre Boyden Farm conservation area and the lakeside campus of Oakcrest Cove where the recreation department is located.
“I think this area is going to be a destination for residents and tourists alike to enjoy everything that we have to offer here,” Boucher said.
The town is also proposing to build a $16 million senior center for active living on the space right behind where the park is being built.
The proposed active living center will go to town meeting later this month seeking finical approval.
The plan is for the complex to be part of a large public safety complex, including new police headquarters and fire administrative offices, at the intersection of Quaker Meetinghouse and Cotuit roads.
“It’s just a nice park, it’s going to be multi use, multi-generational and hopefully have a little bit of something for everybody, even if you just want to go and read a book,”said Boucher.
Only one bid came in for the general contracting work, from R.A.D sports of Rockland, and as a result the $1.98 million price was higher than anticipated.
Some of the extras the town was seeking, such as lighting throughout the complex, a gazebo, paved walking trails, and parking lot, will have to be delayed until the town can secure further funding.
Cape Cod & Islands Tennis & Track of Pocasset will design and build the tennis and pickleball courts.
Stantec Engineering has already designed the skate park.
Subcontractor New Line Skateparks of Canada will build the skate park.
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