What Will Happen to the Boyce Mayview Barn?

The future of the Boyce Mayview barn remains unclear. 

On Monday, commissioners passed a five-year capital improvement plan which included funding plans for both the demolition and the renovation of the building located next to the .

The capital improvement plan has $126,000 designated for the demolition of the barn in 2012. Director of Finance August Stache, Jr. said the township found out how much it would cost to demolish the building from a quote performed last week.

"The budget finance committee members thought we should put it in the plan," Stache said.

"It makes absolute sense to plan," president of the Board of Commissioners Bob Orchowski said during Monday's meeting.

Also in the plan, $1 million in 2013 and $500,000 in 2014 for Boyce Mayview barn improvements. There is no plan in place for what the improvements would be.

Currently, the project lies in the hands of the Parks and Recreation Board. to come up with a plan for the barn using no tax dollars, in which board members find very challenging. Their plan is due back to the commissioners in October.

USC Citizens for Land Stewardship (CLS) continues to believe that the adaptive reuse potential of the barn be thoroughly explored. Their ideas for potential uses are locker room facilities including wheelchair accessible facilities; a basketball court tucked between the north and south bays of the barn; combine indoor and outdoor space for a playground that provides fun for all seasons; an indoor batting cage' a concession stand; or a golf simulation facility. In addition to athletic options, the building could house a small theater; office space; library extension; or cafe, to name a few.

"Adaptive reuse of this attractive, history rich structure would be a testament across generations of thoughtful development that respects our community’s roots and resources as we strive to seek and implement sustainable community progress," CLS director Jan Fleckenstein said in an email.

The Parks and Recreation Board is expected to discuss the barn at the next meet on Tuesday, Aug. 23 at 7:30 p.m. It will take place in the  the  instead of its regular location in the Community and Recreation Center.