The Wyatt Park clubhouse in Laconia, New Hampshire, is facing an uncertain future. The Laconia Parks and Recreation Commission has voted to recommend to the City Council to demolish the 59-year-old structure. It will be up to the City Council to decide whether the park house will be demolished or renovated. Renovations will be costly, and will need to include funds for asbestos abatement.
Several months ago the city’s building inspector found that the park house would require major repairs in order to bring the building up to code. All told, the building inspector recommended $70,000 worth of repairs to make the park house functionally usable.
The Wyatt park house, like each of the park houses around the city of Laconia, most likely contains lead paint and floor tiles that contain asbestos. If the property is to be renovated, the asbestos floor tiles will need to be removed. Asbestos, when inhaled, can lead to a variety of health issues, from asbestosis to lung cancer to mesothelioma.
Funds to repair the park house were requested in the 2009-2010 city budget, but the funds were not included in the budget recommendation that went before the City Council.
The Wyatt Parkhouse was closed last spring when citizens became concerned over the dilapidated condition of the structure.
Until 2008, the Wyatt Parkhouse was a site for voted to cast their ballots, the home of a pumpkin carving contest, and a carnival. Over the years, the park house went from a popular rental property for functions to a nearly forgotten property.