Gurney Lane Construction Project out to bid
(Credit: Luke Mosseau, 2023)
Hansen Pavilion at Gurney Lane Recreation Center.
The town of Queensbury is looking for a contractor to construct the “Gurney Lane Construction Project.” The redevelopment would include the renovation of Hansen Pavilion and the construction of a new 20’ x 40’ open-air pavilion at the Gurney Lane Park and Recreation Area, according to town documents.
At the request of Queensbury’s Director of Parks and Recreation Steve Lovering, the town board approved $355,000 from the Capital Reserve Fund to construct a building at Gurney Lane in order to operate and expand programs for the community.
“They wish to expand spaces for additional programming,” said Queensbury Supervisor John Strough, referring to the town’s parks and recreation department.
However, at the town board’s November Workshop Meeting it was concluded that no additional funds would be available to construct a program building at Gurney Lane.
The town board then asked the Recreation Commission to “explore existing spaces in order to facilitate additional programming space,” according to a letter from Director Lovering.
After a study conducted by the Recreation Commission, they found that enclosing the current Hansen Pavilion and building a separate pavilion would create around 1,720 sq. ft. of new programming space, and be built at a fraction of the cost due to an already existing infrastructure.
Instead of costing $275-$325 per square foot of new construction, the Hansen Pavilion could be renovated at $50-$60 per square foot.
The town board unanimously passed the resolution to advertise for the project’s construction bids. They hope to complete the project in the spring.
EMS Volunteer Property Tax Discount
The Town of Queensbury will bring a plan to provide a 10% property tax discount for Fire and EMS volunteers to its monthly workshop and possibly to a public hearing and a vote.
At the town board meeting Monday Feb. 13, West Glens Falls EMS Lt. Jason Miller asked the town board if they were aware of the New York State legislation that would allow municipalities to offer the 10% discount.
“Does the town have plans to take action or address it?” asked Miller.
“We will discuss it formally as part of a workshop that’s forthcoming, and we’ll see what the town board wants to do with that matter,” answered Queensbury Supervisor John Strough. “So, we are aware of it, and we are going to look at it.”
If the town board proceeds with the plan following the workshop, there will be a public hearing on the issue.
Miller then promised to “rally the troops and have a presence” at the hearing.
In January alone, West Glens Falls EMS was dispatched to 303 calls in Queensbury, on pace for over 3,600 calls in 2023. The discussion has not yet been placed on a workshop agenda.