Who will be managing the building?
It will be owned and operated by The Salvation Army. The building will be constructed out of top quality materials so it will last for generations to come. TSA worldwide operates over 20,000 facilities and has lots of experience. Example would be to visit the Roxbury Corps on 23 Vernon Street.

Are there security cameras?
Yes, there will be video monitoring of the entire site, parking areas and all program areas. There will be a security kiosk to the rear of the outdoor program space in the parking area as well.

What will be the level of safety/ first aid on site?
Safety is a priority in the center. The most effective route to a safe environment is careful planning and a highly trained staff. The Kroc Center will have both.

Will the entire center work with local schools to engage them in using the space?
The Kroc Center will work with schools, non-profits and other community agencies that support the health, welfare and education of children and youth.

Given the change of grade at Dudley & Clifton, can commercial storefronts be added for businesses to rent, to help activate the area? Why aren't there stores designed into the Dudley Street façade to add commercial space to the neighborhood and provide activity to reduce crime?
The Salvation Army generally and the Kroc Trust specifically do not permit commercial development in conjunction with Kroc Centers. The space at the corner of Dudley and Clifton where the grade changes will be used for storage and to house the large mechanical equipment needed to operate a 90,000 square foot facility.

Can trees be planted along the west side of Clifton Street, next to the sidewalk?
The presentation of landscape design to date has been preliminary. The final landscape design will be determined with opportunity for community input.

What type of wall/fencing/planting will be around the parking lot?
The final layout of enclosures and plantings is far from determined. Care will be taken in the design to secure the site and buffer neighboring properties.

Will there be generator system for emergencies?
Yes.

Do you have to be a member to participate? Is there a day rate?
Yes, there will be a day rate.

Will the building be designed to encourage community building and interaction? Will there be "hang-out" places within the center to simply visit with people?
Yes, there will be "community areas" that will be both encouraging and engaging designed especially for interaction and visiting

Does TSA own all the land yet?
No, but all of the land is under contract and will be closing the final properties shortly.

The outside and the entrance must be very welcoming.
Agreed. The concept of welcoming entrants to the center has been and will continue to be a key portion of the thinking around design of the center.

When are ya'll going to start building this community center?
We anticipate completing the review and approval process at the end of September. At which time the Architect will draw the construction documents. Some preliminary work on the site may commence in late Fall/Winter of 2006 with the full commencement of construction operations planned for Spring/Summer of 2007.

What is the opening date? Will the programs start at the same time?
The opening date is difficult to target at this point given the number of variables involved (permits, weather, construction-related issues, etc). Programs will be phased in. As an opening date becomes clearer, the phase-in of programs will be easier to describe.

Is there wheelchair access to all programs?
Yes, the center will comply with ADA providing access for all people to all programs. Two elevators are proposed in the project to provide wheelchair access to the second floor spaces.

Are all of the entrances handicapped accessible?
All entrances and exits to the building are fully handicapped accessible, as are all program spaces within the building. This is important in order to achieve the mission of the community center: to provide access to everyone, and also to meet the local, state and federal codes requiring universal accessibility.

How far from the sidewalk will building begin?
The building is located at the back edge of the sidewalk, in keeping with the urban fabric of the community, and the predominant urban design of the neighborhood. The sidewalk will be wider than currently found at the site, in order to accommodate larger numbers of pedestrians. The distance from the street curb to the building will range from 10 feet along the majority of the building to up to 20 feet at the main entry. The widened sidewalk will occur at Dudley, Burgess and Clifton Streets, where the building is located.

Are there any signals being proposed for this project?
The project is proposed to include a signaling device at the intersection of Dudley and Burgess Streets.
How will kids and families safely cross Dudley St. back and forth from fields to indoors?

The project is proposed to include a signaling device at the intersection of Dudley and Burgess Streets. The design team will work with the Boston Transportation Department to design a signal system which allows for safe traffic and pedestrian flow across the intersection, including a push button control that allows pedestrians to change the signal when they need to cross the street. Signage noting a child pedestrian corner, and speed limit signs will be added to the area to bring this intersection to drivers' attention.

What are the impacts of reversing Leyland Street?
Reversing Leyland Street will create better access from the north along Dudley Street and East Cottage Street. Under the future condition, people leaving Leyland Street will access Dudley Street via a signalized intersection at Burgess Street with little or no delay. Similarly, people traveling on Dudley Street will be able to access Leyland Street via the signalized intersection of Dudley Street and East Cottage Street which is being proposed for minor signal upgrades. Leyland Street can be accessed from both directions on East Cottage Street. Appropriate signage on Leyland Street will be reversed and additional signage will be coordinated with BTD.

Currently parking is permitted on both sides on Leyland. Suggest restrict parking to only one side.
Traffic planning around the site reflects recommendation from the Boston Transportation Department in coordination with the Kroc project team. This suggestion requires further study including ongoing conversation with residents.

Will the project be adding more vehicles to the streets, especially Leyland and East Cottage?
Yes, to a minimal extent. It is expected that there will be greater traffic on several area streets. Planning has focused on maximum benefit to the community while minimizing negative impact to residents.

East Cottage/Dudley Street signal is an issue, cars queue back to Leyland Street. Has anything been done at the signal to alleviate the back up problem?
All traffic in the area has been studied with effort placed on maintaining or improving current levels of service.

Will people shortcut the light on West Cottage and go down Leyland St.?
This is a possibility, however, as there will be a new signal at the corner of Burgess and Dudley Streets, drivers would be shortcutting one light for another. Given this condition, we do not expect a heavy negative impact to Leyland Street due to drivers using it as a shortcut.

Future design should include a bus pull out area on Dudley Street to prevent through traffic being blocked.
We are in the process of evaluating bus stop locations in front of the site on Dudley Street. Any future design of the bus stops will consider mitigation to minimize impacts to through-traffic on Dudley Street.

Concern of trucks traveling through parking lot and neighborhood streets after delivery/loading activities.
All delivery and loading activities will occur in the main loading area off Clifton Street or at a curbside location on Burgess Street. Trucks will access both loading zones from Dudley Street and will be prohibited from exiting through the residential neighborhood by the gated parking arrangement and/or the one-way restriction on Leyland Street. Traffic calming measures such as speed bumps and speed tables may be incorporated in the portions of the parking lot not requiring access cards to reduce speed and maintain safety.

Who has the final say on the traffic plan?
The people (groups) mentioned will have input- but did not specify if they will decide.
Final decisions on the traffic plan are made by the Boston Transportation Department as part of the Article 80 Review process, and will be documented in a TAPA (Transportation Access Agreement Plan) agreement. The process of approving the proposed TAPA agreement includes numerous opportunities for The Salvation Army and the community to have input, analysis of current and proposed traffic data, review by multiple city and state agencies, and public hearings.

What is the MBTA doing to invest in the Fairmount commuter rail stop?
Obviously, The Salvation Army does not have input into what the MBTA is doing on the Fairmount Commuter Rail line. By way of information, they are making improvements to the stop including a canopy, safety features and a handicapped accessible ramp.

Will there be foot bridge from MBTA?
The MBTA has no plans to install a footbridge from the Uphams Corner commuter rail stop.

Need taxi stand area on Dudley Street in front of RJKCCC for MBTA users.
We will gather MBTA ridership information and coordinate with BTD and MBTA officials to evaluate the need for a taxi stand on Dudley Street near RJKCCC.

Will there be walkways travel both to MBTA from back area and houses?
Yes, there will be clear, well-lit sidewalks and as direct a path as possible on the Clifton Street side of the site allowing for access back and forth to the MBTA and area houses.

How will we make sure that the section of Clifton between our gym and the wall of the train station, which is not visible to anyone, be safe and secure for people walking through that area?
The Kroc Center will bring a lot of activity and eyes to watch that section of Clifton that are not currently there. Windows from the running track will overlook this area. Also the improvements being done by the MBTA will increase traffic and include lighting in that area. The building itself will have lighting on it providing ample light on Clifton Street between Dudley Street and parking areas for the center.

Can Clifton be made as a two way travel?
The portion of Clifton St. between Dudley and the MBTA drop-off/handicapped parking will be two-way. Traffic re-entering Dudley St will be permitted to turn right only due safety concerns at the intersection, given the train overpass abutment.

Why didn't the traffic study look at other locations in the neighborhood such as Dudley/Columbia?
The traffic study was done in coordination with the Boston Transportation Department and the Public Improvements Commission. Intersections deemed to be directly impacted by the project were studied.

Did the traffic study look at Saturday conditions? There is a lot of traffic on weekends
Yes. The expanded Project Notification Form and the Transportation Addendum detail all of the studies that were done.

Can parking be discontinued on Dudley Street between Burgess and Alexander?
The final determination of where parking is or is not permitted along Dudley Street will be made with coordination between the appropriate city agencies, community members and The Salvation Army. The key factors in making these decisions are access and safety.

Can handicapped parking be provided at the corner of Dudley Street and Burgess Street for access to the building?
Handicapped parking is provided as close to the building as possible at the end of the drop-off circle. When the soccer field parking area is open, there will be handicapped parking available there as well.

I would imagine you have some idea of the cost of the spaces in your design- is it wise to suggest spaces as a possibility when it is most probable the spaces will not be available because of money?
The spaces that we are showing in our design are included as a result of the preliminary rounds of cost estimation. Based on current construction costs and taking escalation into account, the included program space fits into our budget for construction and site. Elements that were determined to be beyond the scope of the project (i.e. ice rink) have already been eliminated from consideration.

Does the conceptual plan take into account the fixed income you discussed? Bigger or smaller impacts cost. How will you manage this? Who will manage this?
Preliminary budgeting for operating expenses provide the first answer to this. The size of the center in the current design reflects a building that we expect to be able to operate while maintaining an affordable rate for memberships/day visitors.

Explain what an endowment is.
An endowment is a fund established to provide ongoing funds for a set purpose. In this case, the $45 million in endowment funds from the Kroc gift that we hope to raise to $50 million will allow us to pull $2.5 million annually in interest for the operation of the center. This ensures the operation of the building will not rely solely on membership fees, rentals and other revenue sources in order to ensure its affordability to the community.

What is the general support budget for this community center?
There will be a phased opening of programs. We estimate that the operating budget of the center will be between $3.5 million and $5 million annually once all programs are operational. All programs should be operational by roughly 2 years after the center opens..

Ways to Save: 1.) Using College (in area) students to come and intern for programs like video, audio, etc. 2.)
Using local businesses to cater to special events like food, equipment, etc.
Collaborating partners will be connected with the center in order to lower operating costs. The exact format and involvement of collaborating partners is yet to be determined.

Is there a space rental fee for community meetings? If so, is there a non-profit discount?
Fees for use will be scaled so that those closest to the center are paying the lowest amount. There will be separate non-profit and corporate raters for rental use of the center.

Will there be employment opportunities?
There will be approximately 20 full time jobs and 75 part time job opportunities with seasonal opportunities with summer and Christmas programs.

What is the hiring process?
Hiring practices will be consistent with Salvation Army policy. Some positions may be posted as early as one year ahead of the anticipated opening. Other positions will follow, being posted in due time to staff the center appropriately.

How will TSA keep the community center safe?
There will be a culture of safety that will need to be established. Example of staffing is that there will always be a few employees whose sole job is to walk around the center as eyes and ears. Members will also be involved in making the center safe - "If you see something, say something."

Concern about parking lot security kiosk, need to be centrally located and manned 24/7.
The final location of the security kiosk is being determined. There will be overnight security for the center. Due to the size and layout of the campus, security will patrol the entire campus rather than staying only in the security kiosk.

Will there be metal detectors in the building?
The complete security package has not been completely determined. There are strong feelings on either side of the conversation. Further community process and the engagement of a security consultant will be required to make final decisions.

There is a safety concern on Woodford Street with loitering, etc. Soccer field may compound this issue.
The Kroc project will bring eyes and activity to many areas that are now vacant or go largely unsupervised. While this does not guarantee a decrease in negative activity in the area, it can be expected that more foot traffic will cut down on things like loitering. The Kroc Center will also have overnight security of some form that will police the entire campus including the soccer field area.

Can the soccer field service building also be used for security?
The service building enclosed with the soccer field will be large enough for bathrooms and minimal storage of equipment only.

Will parking areas be controlled and well-lit?
Some of the parking will be gated, some will not. Members will access the parking lot by using their membership card. The areas that are not gated will be handicapped parking, seniors only parking and visitor parking. All parking areas will be well-lit and regularly patrolled by security.

AQUATIC CENTER
The aquatic center provides for education, rehabilitation and recreation. Home to swimming instruction, water therapy and open swim times, the recreational pool will offer something for everyone. With three lap lanes, zero depth entry, heated water and novelty water features, the pool is inviting and safe for the full spectrum of users. The outdoor spray ground is connected to the indoor pool area through operable walls expanding the program area during the summer months. The zero depth water play structure engages youth, families and those with special needs.

Will the pool be deep enough to go diving?
No, it will not.

How deep will the pool be?
The pool will 0 feet-5 feet deep. Zero depth entry indicates an entry to the pool similar to a lake or ocean, where the pool floor slopes gradually, rather than a traditional pool entry by way of stairs or a ladder. The pool will gradually slope to a depth of no more than 5 feet.

How many people can use the pool at one time?
Because there will be nearly twice as much deck space as there is water in the pool, the aquatic center will accommodate up to 200 people.

How many lifeguard stations will there be?
Depending on the final design of the pool, the aquatic center will require between 6 and 8 lifeguards at peak use times.

Will there be lifeguards/ first aid available throughout the day?
The pool will have defined operating hours and will only be open when staffed by lifeguards. The lifeguards will be certified in First Aid/CPR.

Will there be a timeframe, prior to opening the center, to train lifeguards so they can be from the community?
Lifeguard training is offered at nearby pools, including the Roxbury Boys & Girls Club. Individuals interested in working as lifeguards at the Kroc Center should take a class now in order to be ready when the center opens.

How will the outside spray ground be blocked off? (i.e. fence, glass, etc)
The spray ground will be accessed only through the aquatic center and will be enclosed with a wall or fence to secure the area.

How do you access the pool area? (i.e. through locker room, another door, etc)
Access to the pool is granted only through the locker rooms. It is typical in pools that users are required to shower before entering the pool.

Does membership to the Kroc Center cover the use of the pool?
Yes. There will also be day use available for a fee to non-members.

Will there be specific time slots scheduled for different age groups?
The pool has something for everyone, but not all at once. The scheduling of the pool program will allow for dedicated time slots for different user groups, i.e. seniors, toddlers, young children, etc. There will also be open swim times when people of all ages will interact in the pool at the same time.

What does the word natatorium mean?
Natatorium is a Latin word that means aquatic area. Because the program area is more than a simple pool, the room is described as a natatorium or aquatic center.

Will the pool be shaped like it is in the diagram?
The diagram is a sample of a recreational pool, but the one we build will have many of the characteristics in the sample: an irregular shape, water play elements, a lap lane, etc. The final configuration will be determined based on the specific location of the aquatic center on the Kroc Center site. Numerous factors including the layout of the rest of the center, the access points to the pool from within the center and the natural grade of the land on which it is built will impact the final layout of the aquatic center.

Will the showers be incorporated into the locker rooms?
There will be 8-10 showers in the locker rooms. There will also be a shower available on the pool deck for use before and after swimming.

Will there be a slide?
The final configuration of the recreational pool is still being determined. Safety, cost and other factors will determine what types of features are finally included.

How will you deal with congestion in locker rooms and balance catering to families and single individuals?
The family locker rooms will be used by families and people with special needs. Seniors may choose to use the family locker rooms during off-peak hours as well. The locker rooms will be adequately designed to accommodate the volume of users we anticipate. Staff will regularly patrol locker rooms.

Why is the women's locker room farther away from the family changing areas?
The current layout of the building is a conceptual space plan, meaning that some components may move slightly from the position in which they are currently shown. From a use perspective, entire families will use a family changing room at one time, making their proximity to the locker rooms for either gender less relevant.

Will there be more shower stalls in the women's locker room?
Yes.

If the pool is only five feet deep, how will you handle more advanced swim lessons?
The Kroc Center will provide introductory swim lessons. It is our expectation that more advanced swimmers will use the competitive water (lap) pools presently available in the community.

Can we have another pool?
The Aquatic Center is the most expensive component, both to build and to operate. Because the Center is on a fixed budget for construction and operation, choices have to be made in order to accommodate the broad range interests and priorities within the community. This necessitates the decision of one type of pool over another. The pool choice has been made to accommodate the broadest range of community participation. Another aspect of the decision has to do with the fact that this recreational pool will be the first of its kind in the City of Boston and therefore does not duplicate what is already available within the city.

Workforce development is a key priority for the community and is the focus of the Educational Learning Center. Although operating primarily out of the classrooms designated in the education center, the programs that provide workforce & life skills development will not reside solely in any single area of the building. A key component is the teaching kitchen with a capacity of 25 people where culinary vocational training will be provided.

The after school enrichment program will serve 60 children aged 6-12. It will operate from 2pm-6pm during the school year and will form a base for a larger summer day camp program.

How will the Boston Public Schools be brought into the new center?
Area schools have been invited to community planning meetings. We have asked them to be a part of the current planning phase in hopes of building a partnership that will help facilitate conversation around future program partnerships discussion. Collaborating partners will begin to be established this summer, a process that will continue up to and beyond the opening of the center.

Can we designate a classroom for math and science?
The after school educational programming will be comprehensive. All subjects will be covered. If, in collaborating with the Boston Public Schools, specific subject areas are brought out as needing special attention, the program will respond to need.

If the library is 600 square feet, how many books will it hold?
The library is primarily envisioned as a media center and satellite library, rather than a branch. Several computer stations will provide access to resources on the web and with computer software. It is our plan that books would be accessible through interlibrary loan from the Boston Public Library. That being said, the capacity of the library would be 700-1000 books, dvds and pieces of software.

The Family Enrichment Center will comprise two primary program offerings. Daycare for 40 toddlers and pre-schoolers aged 2 years 9 months up to 5 years old will operate all day, all year round. A drop-in seniors program will provide various activities for an underserved population in the community. The adult lounge serves as the nexus for the program, but it also takes advantage of other spaces including classes in the arts, recreational activities in the gym and aquatic center and a lunch program, which will take place in the village hall.

Several other programs fall under the umbrella of the Family Enrichment Center. These programs represent some regular ongoing classes (e.g. leadership development, parent education) and some special event programming (e.g. family literacy night) which will make use of the education center classrooms and other spaces while they are unoccupied by the after school program and seniors program.

How will youth who are gang involved be welcomed to the center?
We will build on the existing relationships of The Salvation Army, local community based organizations, and city street workers to involve the youth we already work with that are gang involved first.

How is it going to attract the youth?
and Have the youth in nearby communities been involved in planning so they will utilize the facilities and not feel "shut-out"?
Youth have been involved in the planning process and will continue to be engaged as a key stakeholder. Youth surveys continue to be conducted, most recently at the job fair over April vacation. The degree to which youth are involved in the planning process is a key factor in youth finding the center attractive, "owning" the center and using the facilities.

Does the Teen Center have structured programming?
The Teen Center will be the focal point for a program that exists throughout the center. There will be computer stations, game systems, and educational materials. There will be a tutoring component to the Teen Center, as well as connection with the arts, recreation, fitness and wellness and workforce development. The Teen Center will be staffed full time when open.

Will addiction services be offered?
The Salvation Army provides a host of social service programs. Addiction services are one of those programs. Addiction services will be offered at the center through on-site casework, AA and NA meetings and referrals to other Salvation Army and community services.

Is there a room designated for AA or any other types of social services?
There will not be a room designated for AA, but there is space available for meetings. There are three offices included to provide social services to the community.

Is there sufficient food pantry space for social services?
We do not plan to offer a food pantry at this location.

What are the hours of operation for the daycare? How many days?
The current plan is 7:30am-6pm five days a week.

Can other programs take place in the daycare center? Will design allow for that?
Yes. However, with the daycare open from early morning until approximately 6pm on weekdays, there will not be much opportunity for other programming in the Center schedule.

If public school ages and changed, will we be able to change ages for daycare?
Yes. An age change in the daycare would primarily result in a change of furniture, furnishings and equipment and would not be adversely affected by the planned design.

What about infant/ toddler care?
Initial needs assessment points to the need for daycare for the ages indicated. Further study will determine the area of greatest need prior to the final design, furnishing and programming of the space in the Family Enrichment Center

What is the process for accepting children in to daycare?
It is too early to answer this question at this point. The daycare is intended as an affordable daycare for community residents.

How will the large demand for daycare be addressed and managed?
It is our understanding that daycare is provided in many locations close to the center. We are currently holding a capacity of 40 children in our daycare program. This number could rise to 60 if program study reveals a greater need.

Will hot lunches be served for seniors?
A lunch program is planned as part of the seniors program.

Given a building footprint of approximately 90,000 square feet, the facility itself will cover roughly 30% of the overall site of seven acres. The site will be composed of a combination of program areas, green space and parking. The program space comprises two athletic fields, three playgrounds, three to four hard courts (basketball, volleyball, tennis, etc.) and the outdoor spray ground. The outdoor facilities behind the center are controlled spaces which are inside fencing and can be accessed only by passing through the building. These spaces are referred to below as the outdoor program space.

Mary Hannon Park, which the Kroc Center plans to control and manage, will continue to be city-owned. It remains public space and will be available for community events on a sign-up basis.

The outdoor space extends the usable program area dramatically for several months out of the year. Seeing primary use during the late spring, summer and early fall, the athletic fields and playgrounds expand the program of the Recreation Center, Family Enrichment Center and Educational Learning Center.

Will the outdoor spaces have grass fields or turf fields?
Mary Hannon Park will continue to have a grass field. The recreation soccer field will be a turf field. The outdoor program space behind the building will have a combination of surfaces including turf, rubberized surfaces and grass.

Is there a garage?
There is a loading dock and storage space for lawn mowing and snow removal equipment. Across Dudley St, there will be a small field building containing restrooms and storage space for the programming on the fields.

Will there be tennis courts?
A tennis court is planned just outside the gymnasium in the location we had shown for the potential third gym. Users will access the courts through the recreation center near the gymnasium.

Will there be mini golf?
Because miniature golf takes up a large amount of space to either leave down permanently or to store for temporary use, a cost decision was made not to include miniature golf in favor of other programming.

Will ice skating be available at the Kroc Center?
No. Throughout the programming process that began last summer, there was never a mandate for ice skating. As the process moved toward prioritizing program elements, the ice rink was deleted in favor of other programming.

Will there be outdoor/indoor batting cages?
There is the potential for a net and pipe batting cage in the gym. If it were included, it would be a temporary system similar to those used in high school and college athletic facilities.

What kinds of playgrounds will be part of the outdoor program?
The existing playground in Mary Hannon Park is relatively new and will remain. In the controlled outdoor recreation space, there will be two separate tot lots: one for children age 3-5 and one for children age 6-12. There will also be swing sets and water features.

Will there be garden space for growing food for the café and village hall?
Yes. There will garden space in raised beds in the outdoor program area.

Will there be an outdoor running track?
No there will not. Three primary factors figure into this program choice. First, there are outdoor running tracks available in the neighborhood, specifically at Madison Park High School. Second, the soccer field across Dudley St. will not be a regulation size soccer field as the area is too small to accommodate it and a track would make the field even smaller. Third, we are including an indoor walk/jog track.

Will there be an outdoor swimming pool?
No. Given the short period of time during which weather would permit use of an outdoor pool and the cost involved, the choice was made to include an indoor pool only. However, during the summer months, the outdoor spray ground will be accessed through operable walls expanding the program space and creating an indoor/outdoor aquatic area.

Can the soccer field be used as a football field?
Yes. Football can be played on the soccer field.

Will there be a skate park?
No. Skate parks were very popular elements in parks and community centers beginning roughly 15 years ago. Many parks and centers that included them then are now closing them or moving to different programming in those areas as they have been underused, have created safety issues and are not multi-use spaces.

Will The Salvation Army be issuing the "use permits" for Mary Hannon Park, or will the City of Boston still issue those permits?
The Salvation Army intends to enter jointly with DSNI into a memo of agreement with the City of Boston. This would mean that The Salvation Army and DSNI would work together to schedule the use of the park, issue permits and maintain the park.

Is it safe to have a soccer field along Dudley Street in case the soccer balls get kicked out and fall onto Dudley Street?
The height and design of the walls and fences surrounding the soccer field will be chosen in order to prevent this from occurring.

Is the soccer field a good idea in such a high traffic area?
Another location was considered behind the building but it would have been too expensive with potential parking issues. The project team will study how tall the fences need to be to keep soccer balls from flying out of the field area into the street.

Lighting & visibility & security across soccer field?
The field will have a controlled fence around it that will not be open after hours. Lighting design has not progressed to the point of determining how much additional lighting will be necessary beyond what is already on the streets. The field will be monitored by video surveillance and be patrolled by overnight security personnel.

Can sightlines be illustrated on the pictures of the soccer field?
No.

Can shade trees be added around the perimeter of the soccer field?
Trees are not planned around the perimeter of the field as it will be turf.

Artificial carpet at MIT is lousy - don't use this surface
Thanks for the tip.

Is the soccer field regulation size?
No, there was not enough room.

Will there be sports teams?
Yes, many: soccer, basketball, volleyball, tennis

The recreation center comprises the gymnasium, fitness center, dance studio, group exercise room and the challenge course area. The two-court gymnasium plays host to numerous programs including team sports, sports leagues and recreation for seniors and students in the after school program. With a center competition court and seating for 600 on rollout bleachers, the gymnasium has the capacity to host marquee events and championship games. A walk/jog track is suspended within the gym. The fitness center allows for 70 individuals to engage in cardiovascular exercise and weight training. The dance studio is versatile allowing for instruction in multiple forms of dance, with a capacity of 30 persons. The group exercise room can be used for aerobic exercise, yoga and several forms of dance, with a capacity of 45 persons. Locker rooms with 150 day lockers and 8-10 showers support these areas.

Why three gyms?
Our goal is to provide a facility of superb quality that provides as many opportunities as possible. A 2-court gym is an impressive facility and provides opportunity for a number of people to simultaneously participate and develop skills in various recreational activities. A third court in the gym creates more opportunity and is a more impressive space on its own merits. The scope of the project does not allow us to include the third gym based on current cost projections.

Will the gyms be able to include things like indoor soccer? Often times the walls need to be high and protected to play off the walls.
Indoor soccer can be played on many flooring surfaces. At present we are investigating other facility requirements (dasher board systems, plexi-glass walls) for possible inclusion. At present those elements are not planned as part of the gym.

How wide is the track?
The track will be 2 lanes, approximately 7 feet wide.

Is the track handicapped accessible?
Yes. There is an elevator in close proximity to the track.

Are there emergency stairs off of the track?
There is an egress stair off the track for use in an emergency.

Is the running track a good use of funds?
An indoor track has long been one of the expressed desires of the community. It is constructed at a slightly lower cost as it exists in already constructed space. It can serve all populations of the community including seniors for walking during the day and people of all ages using the fitness center.

Is the gym divisible?
The gym is divisible by way of a safety curtain which prevents balls from crossing the lines and creates a visual barrier. The bottom 10 feet of the curtain is vinyl and the top half is mesh, to allow light to travel through. The curtain drops down from the rafters.

Are other sports going to be marked on the court?
The floor will be marked for basketball and volleyball.

Is the wall glass between the gym and pool?
There is no direct wall contact between the gym and the pool. They are separated by the locker rooms and mechanical space.

Will there be events flooring?
There are rubberized covers that can be used to protect a hardwood gym floor in order to use the space for functions. The covers come on large rolls and will be included in our furniture, furnishings and equipment budget.

What about a rooftop court?
One of the important aspects of the conversation regarding rooftop facilities was the ability to see the Boston skyline from the center. There will be opportunity to view the city skyline from several vantage points inside the gym and fitness area. There are considerable safety issues pertaining to actual rooftop facilities. In addition, in looking at the construction budget and existing availability of two courts within the facility and 1-2 hard courts available outside, it has been determined that funds would be more effectively spent on other program areas.

Will the locker room be subdivided into teen and adult?
The locker rooms are divided by gender, but not by age group.

Are the four family changing rooms enough for the program capacity?
The four family changing rooms are a baseline. Six would be the goal.

Is there a need to split the free and machine weights, can it be used for something else?
Some community centers choose to split the free weight section from the rest of the fitness area due to an "intimidation factor" as a certain culture accompanies the free weights area. We are currently evaluating the need to do so. The option would be to provide a section of the fitness area for free weights and use the space on the first floor currently labeled as such for another purpose.

What will the flooring be in the dance/ exercise rooms?
The dance floor will have a professional floating wood floor. The exercise room will have a rubber floor system that is padded and appropriate for group exercise and dance.

How safe is the climbing area?
The climbing area will meet all safety requirements and be staffed by highly trained employees. When not staffed, it will not be accessible.

Can there be restrooms on the second floor?
There are restrooms in the arts and education wing and in the fitness area on the second floor.

How can we make sure this fitness center will give first priority to the neighborhood?
The fee structure will be designed to be affordable for the community. Those who do not live in the neighborhood will pay more use the fitness center than those who are residents.

Is there a first aid near the gym?
Yes, there will be a first aid room which is close to the gym and fitness center.

The Salvation Army refers to its churches and social service centers as a Corps. The Corps includes a worshipping congregation, pastors (referred to as Corps Officers), administrative staff, and programming that supports worship, character building and the arts. Currently, The Salvation Army operates the Roxbury Corps at 23 Vernon Street just outside of Dudley Square. The Roxbury Corps has served the community since 1889 and has a congregation of about 100 people. The Kroc Center will be the new home for that congregation with the Chapel/Theater serving as their sanctuary.

Dedicated space for the corps exists in the prayer chapel and office suite. Centrally located offices provide space for all Kroc Center staff including positions currently existing in the Roxbury Corps. In addition, space has been allocated for three offices for social service provision with a separate entrance and space for family counseling.

Will the Chapel/Theater have permanent fixed seats or moveable seating?
The Chapel/Theater will have two kinds of seating. The typical arrangement will be a flat floor space, with movable seats, which will be set regularly with 250 seats and maximum capacity of 300 people. In addition, there is a telescopic bleacher system which can be extended from the back of the room for "stadium-style" seating which provides for approximately 200 to 250 seat capacity.

What level of sound proofing will there be in the Prayer Chapel?
As the Prayer Chapel's purpose is to provide a sacred space at all times that the center is
open, the room will be sufficiently sound proofed to serve its purpose.

What is the schedule for worship services?
The current schedule for worship services on Sundays at the Roxbury Corps at 23 Vernon St is Sunday School at 10am, Morning Worship at 11am and Evening Young Adult Bible Study at 6pm. All are welcome to join The Salvation Army for worship. The intention is that the worship schedule will be the same when the center opens.

Will other worship communities be able to use the Chapel?
Yes. There will be a fee associated with use of the chapel and all user groups will need to be approved by The Salvation Army.

What are The Salvation Army's beliefs and doctrines?
The Salvation Army is a protestant denomination. Its mission statement is:
The Salvation Army, an international movement, is an evangelical part of the Christian Church. Its message is based on the Bible. Its ministry is motivated by the love of God. Its mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination.
For more detailed information, please visit: www.salvationarmy.org and click on the Our Faith link.

How can we control and create respect for the Chapel/Theater? (i.e. food, trash, etc..)
This will need to become part of the culture of the center. Respect will come about as a result of educating users, staff patrolling the area and users coming to value the space as sacred and worthy of respect.

Special Programs is an umbrella grouping of both multi-use function space and special event programming. The two primary spaces are the café and the village hall. Various programs, including art shows, educational programming and family activities will take place multiple times throughout the year.

The village hall is the primary function space of the center offering seating for 200 people. With divider air walls and access to the commercial kitchen, teaching kitchen and village center, it provides space for feeding programs, dinners, receptions and cultural events. Equipped with a sound system and video projection, it will also serve as a large meeting room and teaching location.

The café is intended as a light food and coffee bar that opens onto the village center. The availability of reasonably priced healthy snack food and beverages to users in all areas of the center enhances the main street feel of the village center providing a casual point of interaction for the broad cross section of center participants.

Can the café be run by local/ethnic caterer/restaurant? Is it a rental space?
It is anticipated that the café will be run by staff employed by The Salvation Army and serve light foods, like fruit, Danish, coffee cakes, etc. in addition to coffee and other beverages.

Does the café serve outside or have an outside entrance?
Although it was considered during early planning stages, the design does not adequately allow for outside service window. Because the Village Center is a public space, it is available to all.

What hours will the café be open?
It is our plan that the café will be open during high traffic times at the center. We anticipate that this will mean from 3pm-8pm weekdays and all day on Saturday. Hours will be finally determined based on demand.

What is the seating capacity in the café?
The seating for the café will be in the Village Center itself and will consist of five-six round tables with seating for four people.

Does the Salvation Army make the food in the kitchen and / or can someone hire a caterer to serve food for a special function?
The Salvation Army will be running the kitchen. Final determination on catering for special events is yet to be decided.

Will the Village Center be available for weddings/ events?
Yes, the Village Center will be available for rentals for weddings and other celebrations.

Will the Teaching Kitchen offer classes for children?
While the primary purpose of the Teaching Kitchen is vocational culinary training, it is also intended as a cultural center to invite and blend the community. There will be cultural cooking events, children's nights and other programming that will develop.

Why do you have so much space for a kitchen?
The kitchen is full commercial kitchen. It is necessary to provide food for up to 350 people and will be used in the vocational culinary training program for students to employ the skills they've learned within the teaching kitchen.

Will there be room for small businesses/youth to conduct meetings during the week and weekends?
Space will be available for a usage fee for meetings of this type. Fees will be determined based on the type of meeting to be held and there will be scaled rates for community and non-profit groups, private individuals and corporate groups.

Can we have a peace room for survivors' families?
A prayer chapel is planned in the building. It is available as a quiet place of prayer and peace for the community.

Will there be a wireless connection in the building?
It is foreseeable that there would be a wireless connection available in the Village Center.

Will there be computer stations offering internet access for e-mail, etc..?
Yes. The locations have not been finally determined, but it is likely that within the Village Center and other areas of the center, there will be small computer alcoves, with 2-3 computers available to access the internet, check e-mail, etc. There will also be a computer lab in the Educational Learning Center and computer stations in the Teen Center and the Adult Lounge.

Is the reception/control area too far from the doors? Will you be able to adequately monitor who is entering the center?
The reception desk is placed with clear sightlines to both the door on Dudley St and the door on the Burgess St side of the center. It also provide sightlines down the corridor to the gym and fitness area and to the Village Hall and Chapel/Theater. Monitoring traffic in the center is achieved in many ways, beginning with having someone at the reception counter, but also by having staff regularly walking through the center, a complete video monitor system and establishing a culture of reporting behavior that causes users concern.

What is the height of the Village Hall?
The Village Center is 2 stories tall. The Village Hall is a one-story function and dining space. 12 foot ceilings are a rough estimate.

Will there be space for displaying art?
Early discussions included a cultural museum. With all of the wall space throughout the building, the entire center can be considered space to display art and cultural items, in essence turning the center itself into a museum/gallery.

As an area of strength of the Dudley Community and the Roxbury Corps, the arts are an area of great existing interest and programming. At present there is a need for appropriate space of superb quality in the neighborhood. The chapel/theater, with a capacity of 250-300, fills the need of a mid-sized auditorium professionally equipped for theater, music, dance and other performing arts. A stage dimension rehearsal space, audio/video technical room and recording studio, music instruction rooms and dressing rooms support the theater. The art room provides dedicated space for up to 30 people to engage in the visual arts. Artwork produced at the center will be displayed throughout the building. The dance studio and group exercise room in the Recreation Center will serve as instructional space for dance of various types. The prayer chapel provides a quiet place for prayer at all times while the facility is open. It also provides sacred space when the chapel is in use as a theater or in preparation for a production.

Will the recording studio be available for rental?
Yes.

What is the distance between the elevator and the Chapel?
Approximately 90 feet.

How will the Chapel/Theater be equipped for lighting and projection?
The Chapel/Theater will have a lighting rig similar to that in a high school auditorium offering the full range of options necessary for community theater productions, dance and musical performances. Video projection will be integral to the design and available as a "plug and play" setup.

Can there be capacity for radio or TV production?
There is capacity for editing of music, spoken word and video. The decision as to whether live radio and TV production and broadcasting could take place from the center requires further study.

Will The Salvation Army need to approve all theatre productions?
Yes. As is true with all events in the center, The Salvation Army will have an approval process for theater productions.

Will the center have its own theater program?
Yes. This is a strength of The Salvation Army and particularly the Roxbury Corps, so the center will offer its own theater program. This does not preclude other theater programs from using the space.

What types of music programs will be available for the community?
The Salvation Army has a heritage of music. Instruction and Music Mentoring will be available for brass band instruments, piano, guitar, percussion and vocal.

How do you get set building materials in and out of rehearsal stage?
The elevator in the Village Center will be the size of a freight elevator, although it will not look like a freight elevator. As for moving sets and materials in and out the rehearsal stage itself, an air wall will separate the rehearsal stage from the performance stage.

Will there be space for displaying art?
Early discussions have included a cultural museum. With all of the wall space throughout the building, the entire center can be considered space to display art and cultural items, in essence turning the center itself into a museum/gallery.