Our team recently completed a comprehensive Community Impact Assessment for the Tupper Lake Memorial Civic Center, a facility owned by the Tupper Lake Central School District that brings tremendous value to the community. The foresight of a generous community member made the study possible, working with us and other stakeholders to provide the community with the data needed to make informed decisions about the facility’s future.
A Community Impact Assessment is more than just a report, it’s a tool that helps communities understand the true ripple effects of their public spaces, programs, and investments. The value of community assets like recreation centers, parks, or cultural facilities are often discussed only in terms of operating costs or budgets.
The assessment includes the social and health benefits to the community, as well as the impact on local businesses from current and potential visitor spending. In the case of Tupper Lake, like for many communities, the Civic Center has operated as a vibrant hub for school athletics and community recreation. Although residents know the facility matters, the actual contours of its impact were harder to quantify. This assessment gave a clear, evidence-based picture of how much value is generated, what uses dominate, and where opportunities lie for the future.
Getting Decision Makers on the Same Page
The Community Assessment empowers stakeholders – in this case, the school leadership, municipal officials, community organizations, taxpayers and residents — with a common set of facts. This allows for further conversations and decisions based on shared information. This kind of clarity is invaluable when budget pressures, competing priorities, and long-term visioning come into play.
Beyond the budget, the study offers insights into important considerations that are critical to the bigger picture in the community, and the strategic goals for Tupper Lake. What untapped hours or seasons could be leveraged? How might different governance or partnership models improve flexibility, cost-effectiveness, marketing and funding opportunities? How do we weigh financial inputs against social benefits?
Turning Insights into Action
A Community Impact Assessment is only as valuable as the action it inspires. With this new data, Tupper Lake leaders, school officials, and community partners can begin translating findings into next steps that are smarter and more strategic. The shared understanding and data allows the community to have more constructive action around budget planning, operating models, expanded programming, transparent community value and the importance of measuring progress and impact moving forward.
In every community, resources like this study matter. Not only do they form a foundation for decision making, but they position the community for funding and development opportunities.
Saratoga Associates, Partners in Planning
Saratoga Associates brings planning, design, and architecture together in a single practice, allowing feasibility analysis, community and economic impact assessments, and funding strategies to be integrated with how facilities are programmed, designed, and operated. The Tupper Lake analysis is one example of how Saratoga Associates supports communities in creating compelling destinations, enriching communities, and safeguarding special places. By pairing quantitative analysis with an understanding of local plans, funding programs, and stakeholder priorities, we help clients shape projects that maximize public value and position communities for long-term success.
