"Within this building the Keene community will find the full range of amenities expected from a modern recreational facility," says Philip Laird, principal-in-charge and president at ARC--in a prepared statement. The new center will include a swimming pool, basketball court, indoor track, climbing wall, a child care center, among other amenities.

ARC plans to build the community center with sustainable features such as low-flow plumbing fixtures and high-solar reflective index, which uses the color of the roof to reduce heat gain in the building. The plan will also use 85% recycled content for the roof, 85% content for the wall paneling and insulation, as well as local and regional materials to reduce pollution from shipping; concrete blocks made from recycled material. Although ARC could not disclose the current cost of the project, it is estimated to complete in Sept. 2009.

The Keene Family YMCA was established in 1885 and provides programming for neighborhoods and families. Cambridge, MA-based ARC is an architectural, interior design and planning firm which specializes in educational, sports, science and corporate facilities, emphasizing on sustainable designs.