Unalaska, AK – Community members will have a chance to review and comment on the community center expansion project design at an open house this weekend. The city plans on expanding the PCR Community Center to add more facilities. PCR director Jeff Hawley said the plan has been developed over three years and incorporates many community suggestions, including small things like more benches in the locker rooms and a larger lobby area.

It also includes a large addition that allows for a new, expanded cardio room on the second floor. That way the current cardio room can be used for parties and as a dance studio, as was originally planned.

"That was used for dance programs, our overflow in the teen and youth activities, birthday rentals so that they can use the kitchen. So we're going to bring that back so that those people will have a place in the facility again," Hawley said.

They will also expand the after school program area to allow more room for activities and replace the playground equipment. They also plan to triple the size of the music room to allow for choir practices and individual, sound proof rehearsal spaces.

Hawley said they are still working out some of the details and do not have a final cost estimate yet. PCR staff will present the final plan and budget estimates to the city council at the end of the month. The council did designate $2 million for the expansion in the capital projects plan, but they have not yet officially approved the spending and will not until the final cost estimate is in.

"I'm not sure if it's all gonna fly or not but we're gonna give it a good whirl and see if we can keep the costs down and see if we can get it funded," Hawley said.

They are also trying to keep costs down by making the building more energy efficient. "We're trying to look through the building's energy uses and try to do enough energy upgrades to our mechanical systems and our electrical systems to help offset the costs of any new additions."

Just by changing out the lights in the gym, they can save up to $10,000 per year.

If the expansion happens, construction will start in May. The PCR will close for two months over the summer but staff will set up some exercise facilities at the high school.

You can check out the floor plans, mock-ups, and models of the new PCR expansion and make comments at this weekend's open house. It will run concurrently with the PCR craft fair and start at 11 am on Saturday.