It’s a project eight years in the making. In August, a renovation project to update Ocean Point Trust Colony’s recreation area began with the demolition of the old casino building. Since 1974, the casino was the headquarters for colony activities of pancake breakfasts, chicken dinners and community meetings. But in 2011, leaders of the East Boothbay colony decided the building had outlived its usefulness. They began planning a modern facility. 

So, after years of planning and raising $1.35 million, construction began on the project. The new casino will be similar to the former one’s size and interior. The new design is for a 4,500 square foot structure slightly larger than its predecessor. The design also resembles the casino’s original early 20th century look with a wraparound porch. This fall, the demolition included three asphalt tennis courts to make room for more recreational opportunities. Two new Har-Tru clay tennis courts will be built along with an all-purpose area for pickleball, basketball, street hockey and wall ball. 

“This was a true community effort in a once-in-a-lifetime project,” said Ocean Point Colony Trust President Michael Anderson. “We wanted to leave behind a facility which was equal to or better than the one we grew up with.”

The project is being overseen by Anderson and the Colony’s board of directors. Three committees, building,  tennis and sports, and finance, were instrumental in implementing feedback from colony residents into the project’s design. A capital campaign committee was formed and created a three-year payment plan. The fundraising effort was jump-started by seasonal colony residents John and Bev Holt of Minnesota, who pledged to match the first $150,000 raised. 

The colony hired two Boothbay firms for the project. E.M. Wood Construction was hired for the demolition. The Knickerbocker Group was hired over 13 other companies who also responded to a request for proposed project designs. The colony also hired local architect Patrick McGranahan. 

The original Ocean Point Colony structure was built in 1905. In 1972, the trust was established for organizing residents and members as a community. Anderson estimates there are currently 140 dues-paying members. In 1974, a fire destroyed the casino building. A replacement was “hastily” built which didn’t resemble the original, according to colony officials. For five decades, the casino building has remained mostly unchanged.

On Feb. 20, colony officials presented their renovation plan for approval to the Boothbay planning board. It was approved unanimously with minor revisions which included moving the tennis and multi-use courts  away from the south property line and identifying an adjacent lot for handicap parking. 

On Oct. 1, Anderson reported the project was on schedule for a July 4 grand opening. “We’ve had some great weather and if there is a mild winter, it’s likely we could be ready by mid-June,” he said.