Lakeside Center

Project Overview

The Lakeside Community Center was built to serve as a vibrant hub for the town of Millbrook, offering recreational facilities, event spaces, and educational programs for residents of all ages. Positioned on the shore of Lake Millbrook, the project required a design sensitive to its natural surroundings while providing a durable, multi-purpose facility capable of serving the community for decades to come.

Project Process

1. Initial Assessment & Planning:

The project began in April 2022 with community consultations led jointly by our team and the Millbrook Parks & Recreation Department. Residents were invited to share input on desired facilities, resulting in a brief that included a gymnasium, multipurpose event hall, classrooms, and outdoor recreational space. Site surveys assessed flood-plain considerations given the lakeside location.

2. Design & Approval:

Architect Emily Foster designed the center around a central atrium connecting the gymnasium, event hall, and classroom wings, with large windows framing views of the lake throughout the building. The design used timber and stone accents to reflect the surrounding natural landscape. Municipal approval was granted in July 2022 following review by the town council and a public comment period.

3. Structural Reinforcement:

Construction of the foundation and structural frame took place between August and November 2022, with special attention given to elevated footings and moisture-resistant materials to protect against the lakeside site's higher water table. The gymnasium's long-span roof structure was engineered to support community events beyond sports use, including assemblies and markets.

4. Restoration & Modernization:

From December 2022 through July 2023, our team completed interior finishes, mechanical and electrical systems, and installed accessibility features throughout the building, including an elevator and adaptive recreational equipment. Energy-efficient geothermal heating and cooling was installed to reduce long-term operating costs for the municipality.

5. Final Touches & Handover:

Landscaping, outdoor recreation areas, and a lakeside boardwalk were completed in August 2023. Following final municipal inspections, the Lakeside Community Center opened to the public in September 2023 with a community celebration event.

Project Experience

The Lakeside Community Center reflects Building Construction's commitment to building spaces that genuinely serve the communities around them. Balancing a public-sector budget with a resident-driven design brief required close, transparent collaboration with the Millbrook Parks & Recreation Department at every stage. The finished center now hosts everything from youth sports leagues to town meetings, standing as a proud example of purposeful public construction.