More Activities, Space Will Come With Scotland Community Center Renovations

Many Potomac residents are awaiting the complete renovation of the Scotland Community Center, which is in the process of design and development.

The almost 40-year-old center will be demolished and a new center will be completely rebuilt to meet the needs of the residents who use the facility. The renovations, expected to cost $5 million, are slated to begin in 2011.

The center, located at 7700 Scotland Drive, serves a diverse group of children from the Potomac area as well as families who live in Scotland Community.

"I think the new center will enhance the programs the center offers," said community center director Kim Bryant. "We already have good programs, but with a larger space we can have more options for kids and give each activity a designated space."

The new layout will have eight different rooms, compared with the five rooms that are currently in the center. Improvements finalized for the new center include a large social hall, a larger gymnasium, a game room, two meeting rooms with a bi-fold door, a weight room, a kitchen and a computer lab, Bryant said. 

Also, the renovated center will have wireless Internet access and an elevator for the two-story layout. The specific rooms for each activity will allow more than one program to go on at a time — something the current design doesn't allow, Bryant said.

"I'm looking forward to the renovations because there needs to be a lot of changes to the center to make it better for everyone to use," said Elizabeth Bowen, a resident of Scotland Community. "When it is renovated, I know I'll use it more often, especially if there are improvements with the gym."

Montgomery County government has allotted the $5 million for the project. Bryant said the amount is reasonable for the center, but she is preparing to scale back the project if necessary. Earlier this month, she met with representatives from the county to discuss areas where the community center could cut back if it were to exceed the budget. Those include the size of the ice machine, the type of flooring and the types of basketball rims.

The biggest difficulty with the new center is trying to make accommodations for more parking spaces, Bryant said. Land is limited at the center so only four more spaces will be added to the existing four spots.

"There's not much change with the parking, but we have been able to make due with what we have and make it work out well, because of visitor parking spaces in the community," Bryant said. "Parking is a serious issue and we need more, but there just isn't enough land."

Scotland Community Center will be closed for 12 to 18 months for construction. But the programs usually held at the center will continue at another location. Bryant will rent space to hold the programs, most likely a Montgomery County public school facility in the area, she said.

But residents said the temporary closure of the center will be worth it.

"I hope the renovations bring more people to the community, and I'm sure once people see the renovations begin they are more likely to come and participate in the programs," said Stephanie Hood, manager of Scotland Community.

"I'm looking forward to the changes and to see more activities for the kids."