Credit: Jillian Mele

Since the passing of Article 21 in the June 22, 2022 town meeting, the town has started construction on the Council on Aging (COA) and Community Center.

Since the passing of Article 21 at the June 22, 2022 town meeting, the town has started construction on the Council on Aging (COA) and Community Center. The center will be located at 8 Andrews Avenue in Wayland, which is across the street from Russell’s Garden Center.

The Council on Aging will offer programs and services for older residents in this new space. Since 28% of Wayland residents are a part of the COA, the COA hopes that these citizens will benefit from this new space.

“The COA will be a place where community members and groups of all ages can hold or attend events, meetings and activities to build a strong sense of community,” COA Director Julie Secord said.

In a 2022 Town Meeting, residents voted for the town to fundraise 11 million dollars for the final design, engineering, construction, fixtures, furniture and equipment of the space. The center will also be used by other community members, including sports teams and scouts for programs, meetings, activities, banquets and other events.

“COA programs include affordably-priced fitness classes, lectures, instruction classes, luncheons and hybrid programming to allow residents to participate both in-person or through zoom or other platforms,” Secord said.

The building is currently under construction. According to Secord, the building has an optimal location because it is near a food market, bank, hardware store, health club, restaurant, coffee shop, clinic, the rail trail, conservation trails and river access.

“The COA will serve as a hub of activity that can bring people of all ages together,” Secord said.

Periodic updates on the construction are available here: https://www.wayland.ma.us/coacc.