CARRABASSETT VALLEY – Following voter approval of the Outdoor Center Improvement Project at last Wednesday’s annual town meeting, the town will hire an architect to design the project, said Town Manager David Cota.

“The Outdoor Center is basically open from November through April,” he said, “so we’re hoping to get the project completed by November, but a starting date hasn’t been set yet. It will depend on contractor availability.”

The proposal includes renovation and an expansion to the Touring Center building, a new and expanded skating rink, bike and ski trail improvements and additional parking. A committee has been working on the project for four years.

An attempt to amend the article for a second vote to be held at a later time was rejected. Following discussion and a presentation by Outdoor Center Improvement committee members Susan Beck and Peter Smith, residents voted by secret ballot 69 to 20 to proceed with the work.

Concerns were raised over the potential financial impact of new ownership of Sugarloaf USA, which leases the center, and financial impact of the governor’s school consolidation plan.

Sugarloaf has been owned by three different corporate entities since it leased the outdoor center, Cota said, and just completed the first year of a new five-year lease.

Regarding school consolidation, since Carrabassett Valley is not part of a school district, Cota said he didn’t feel it would be as severe as some believe.

Residents also approved an article to raise $5,000 to assist the New Library Committee in its planning and fundraising efforts following an attempt to table the article until later, said Town Clerk Wendy Russell.

The town wasn’t voting on the new library, Cota said, but rather for funds to help the committee as it works to raise half of the $850,000 to $950,000 needed for the library. The committee is concentrating on grants and private donations and will take another year to work on it. The plan includes not just a library but a child day care and preschool program which will lease space at the building for a combined total income of $15,000, he said.

While many residents spoke in favor of the plan, Cota said, a few expressed concerns regarding the school consolidation plans and some residents felt there were libraries in two surrounding towns that could be used.

Other articles passed with varying amounts of discussion Russell said.