Hempfield soon could have a new recreation center.

With two spaces available — a property off the Walden Court cul-de-sac and a 17-acre parcel off Route 136 adjacent to Hempfield Area High School — Pittsburgh-based Mackin Engineering will research township needs.

Supervisors voted this week to pay Mackin about $55,300 to compare the township-owned properties for about eight to 10 months, create a master plan that identifies the community’s recreational needs, a possible budget and any additional staff that may need to be hired, said Aaron Siko, director of parks and recreation.

Once voted on, projects would be built in phases.

Mackin was picked over five other bids submitted for the work. At a workshop meeting last week, company representatives pitched walking paths to connect resources in the community along with safety and security measures. The goal is to create spaces that are ideal for walking, biking and hiking.

This isn’t the first time officials have considered a recreation center.

The township in 2001 had contracted with Astorino Pellis Architects of Greensburg to build a $17 million recreation center in the lot near the high school. Supervisors stopped preliminary plans after questions arose about the scope of the project and the architect’s $1.2 million fee.

The township has moved forward with other projects since, including the athletic complex in 2012 and pending improvements to parks thanks to state grants.

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