UPPER MACUNGIE TWP., Pa. — Timmmberrrrr!
That alert is typically shouted when announcing the falling of something.
In the case of the Upper Macungie Township Community Lifestyle Center, the opposite is true.
There, a timber represented something that’s rising.
“This center will be the crown jewel centerpiece of the Upper Macungie Township community.”
Jeff Fleischaker, chair, Upper Macungie Township board of supervisors
On Thursday, one of the final pieces of timber was placed atop an outer wall of the $47 million, 188,000-square-foot, multi-functional indoor facility under construction at Grange Park.
Township officials, community leaders, business representatives and construction partners attended the placement of the 24-feet-long timber.
“This is more than just a building,” township Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeff Fleischaker said.
“It’s a representation of what our community has been looking for for a long time — a gathering place, a place where we can do year-round activities. It’s something that we can grow our programming and our outreach.
“This center will be the crown jewel centerpiece of the Upper Macungie Township community.”
Distributed
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Jan Ahner / Alvin H. Butz, Inc.
Site of many types of events
Prior to its placement atop a wall at Building C, which will house a single-court gymnasium, the timber beam was signed Thursday by many of the dignitaries, township officials and project partners.
Scheduled to open in Summer 2026, the centerpiece, Building A, will contain a 130,000-square-foot, artificial turf soccer field, a running track, volleyball and basketball courts, lounges, a workout area, a cafeteria and meeting rooms.
A separate part of the center will be available for large community events, concerts, cooking and craft events, meetings, senior programs and fitness classes and pickleball.
Upper Macungie Township
A separate part of the center will be available for large community events, concerts, cooking and craft events, meetings, senior programs and fitness classes and pickleball.
Fleischaker said membership pricing for families and individuals should be released in May.
The community center project is a joint design and construction effort among the center owner Upper Macungie Township, HKA5 Architecture, StructureCraft and Alvin H. Butz Inc.
“We’re wearing two hats,” Butz General Manager Michael Butz said. “We represent the construction of the center and are also a founding partner. We’re proud to be more than just the construction partner.”
‘Proud of how well it’s coming along’
After a few comments from dignitaries and partners, a large crane lifted the timber from the ground and into place on a wall at the site of the center’s basketball court.
“There’s not a better township in the country for this than Upper Macungie Township,” said Dave Jaindl, of Jaindl Farms Co. “We’re proud to be working with them.”
Light wood framing and other secondary structural components began in September and will continue throughout the Fall.
The defining feature of the project is its long-span timber structure, engineered and built by StructureCraft, that will reduce the carbon footprint compared to traditional steel structures while offering a warm, natural aesthetic.
The facility’s timber framework spans four interconnected buildings.
“Today is not the placing of the final timber beam,” said Bill Loewen, senior project manager of StructureCraft, of Vancouver, B.C.
“We still have about three or four weeks left of construction of the main structure. I expect the final piece to be installed Dec. 14 or 15, depending upon the weather.
“We’re proud of how well it is coming along.”