Westmont Hilltop rec commission moves closer to hiring executive director, setting table for sports complex study

Feb. 6—JOHNSTOWN, Pa. — Candidates seeking a job as the Westmont Hilltop Recreation Commission's executive director are throwing their hats into the ring, and the commission could make a hire in April.

In addition, the commission is on the cusp of hiring a professional firm to conduct a feasibility study for an indoor recreation and sports complex.

Commission Chairman Rob Gleason said that with an executive director in place, the commission would also move forward on developing a master plan for the use of The Ridge outdoor recreation property on state Route 271 in Upper Yoder Township.

The commission has advertised the executive director job statewide with a salary of $62,500 and is accepting applications through February.

Multiple candidates have already submitted applications, Westmont Borough Secretary Melissa Millard said on Monday during the commission's regular meeting at the Westmont Borough building.

In March, the commission plans to determine which candidates will be invited for interviews.

'Impressive facility'

On the topic of hiring a firm to conduct a feasibility study that would include an economic impact analysis of a new indoor sports complex, Gleason has recommended the commission take that action after funds for the study are secured.

"I recommend we do the study," Gleason said. "We've applied for $250,000 in seed money from the state to get the commission off the ground. If we get the $250,000, I want to consider moving forward on this."

The study would be conducted by The Sports Facilities Companies firm at a cost of $67,000.

The commission, comprising representatives from Westmont Hilltop School District, Westmont Borough and Upper Yoder Township, also expects to have additional funds that could be put toward that study after it receives $43,000 left over from the former West Hills Recreation Commission 501(c)(3) organization.

The feasibility study would build on an already completed preliminary architectural study for a sports complex at the Goucher Street site of the former Westmont Hilltop Elementary School, now demolished.

In that initial study, funded by Westmont Hilltop School District, Omni Associates Architects, of Fairmont, West Virginia, completed basic plans showing that a complex with an eight-lane, 25-yard-long pool; an indoor turf facility; and two basketball courts encircled by a track would fit on the 13.7-acre Goucher Street property.

That plan was based on a design similar to The Bridge Sports Complex in Bridgeport, West Virginia, which Omni Associates was involved in building.

"It's an impressive facility," Gleason said.

However, such an undertaking could cost up to $50 million.

"When they said between $30 and $50 million, it causes pause for thought," Gleason said.

Omni Associates has recommended that the commission take a step further in considering the project by hiring The Sports Facilities Companies firm to provide market research and an economic impact analysis. The Sports Facilities Companies has provided those services for 3,000 communities, Gleason said.

The commission also expanded its board of commissioners Monday with the appointment of Greg Heider, regionally known for his role as vice president of Sportsman's Supply Inc. in Johnstown.

The commission received multiple applications for the seventh seat on the commission's board, which currently includes six members: Westmont Hilltop school directors Gleason and Bill Carney; Upper Yoder Township Supervisors Paul Pioli and Sue Konvolinka; and Westmont Borough Councilmen Chris DelSignore and Bill Stasko.

Gleason said that Heider will be a good fit for the commission.

"He has spent his whole life around athletics," he said.