Last timber beam set at Upper Macungie Township Community Lifestyle Center

UPPER MACUNGIE TWP., Pa. — Timmmberrrrr!

That alert is usually shouted when saying the falling of one thing.

In the case of the Upper Macungie Township Community Lifestyle Center, the other is true.

There, a timber represented one thing that’s rising.

On Thursday, one of many closing items of timber was positioned atop an outer wall of the $47 million, 188,000-square-foot, multi-functional indoor facility beneath building at Grange Park.

Township officers, neighborhood leaders, enterprise representatives and building companions attended the location of the 24-feet-long timber.

“This is more than just a building,” township Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeff Fleischaker mentioned.

“It’s a representation of what our community has been looking for for a long time — a gathering place, a place where we can do year-round activities. It’s something that we can grow our programming and our outreach.

“This center will be the crown jewel centerpiece of the Upper Macungie Township community.”

Distributed

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Jan Ahner / Alvin H. Butz, Inc.

Site of many sorts of occasions

Prior to its placement atop a wall at Building C, which can home a single-court gymnasium, the timber beam was signed Thursday by most of the dignitaries, township officers and undertaking companions.

Scheduled to open in Summer 2026, the centerpiece, Building A, will include a 130,000-square-foot, synthetic turf soccer discipline, a working observe, volleyball and basketball courts, lounges, a exercise space, a cafeteria and assembly rooms.

A separate a part of the middle will probably be accessible for giant neighborhood occasions, live shows, cooking and craft occasions, conferences, senior applications and health lessons and pickleball.

Fleischaker mentioned membership pricing for households and people ought to be launched in May.

The neighborhood heart undertaking is a joint design and building effort among the many heart proprietor Upper Macungie Township, HKA5 Architecture, StructureCraft and Alvin H. Butz Inc.

“We’re wearing two hats,” Butz General Manager Michael Butz mentioned. “We represent the construction of the center and are also a founding partner. We’re proud to be more than just the construction partner.”

‘Proud of how well it’s coming along’

After a couple of feedback from dignitaries and companions, a big crane lifted the timber from the bottom and into place on a wall on the website of the middle’s basketball court docket.

“There’s not a better township in the country for this than Upper Macungie Township,” mentioned Dave Jaindl, of Jaindl Farms Co. “We’re proud to be working with them.”

Light wooden framing and different secondary structural elements started in September and can proceed all through the Fall.

The defining characteristic of the undertaking is its long-span timber construction, engineered and constructed by StructureCraft, that may cut back the carbon footprint in comparison with conventional metal buildings whereas providing a heat, pure aesthetic.

The facility’s timber framework spans 4 interconnected buildings.

“Today is not the placing of the final timber beam,” mentioned Bill Loewen, senior undertaking supervisor of StructureCraft, of Vancouver, B.C.

“We still have about three or four weeks left of construction of the main structure. I expect the final piece to be installed Dec. 14 or 15, depending upon the weather.

“We’re proud of how well it is coming along.”