The planning phase of the proposed Boyce Mayview community recreation center is drawing to an end, Upper St. Clair Commissioner Ched Mertz said after two recent board actions.

At a special meeting May 16, the board voted to award the center's architectural services contract to WTW Architects, in Pittsburgh, and Larson Architects, in Cleveland, for $65,000. The firms submitted a joint proposal.

Mr. Mertz said he expected a schematic drawing of the center and a total cost estimate for the project by the end of August.

At the same time, the results of a planning study are expected from Ketchum, in Pittsburgh, regarding the potential private funding sources available to help defray capital costs associated with its construction.

The board awarded the firm the $32,500 contract at its meeting Monday.

Mr. Mertz said the board would receive a plan for how to raise money, and a marketing plan on how to go out into the community and sell the project.

After the meeting, Mr. Mertz said, the goal still is to place the issue of whether to build a center on the November election ballot as a referendum. While the referendum will be to increase the borrowing base of the township, a recreation center will be included in the wording.

In awarding the contract for WTW and Larson, the board added the stipulation that Douglas Shuck resign from the planning commission, which he did, to avoid the appearance of a conflict of interest.

Mr. Shuck is a partner with WTW. Mr. Shuck is also treasurer of the Regional Environmental Education Center, a nonprofit, independent agency within Boyce-Mayview Park.

The board concluded he was a "vital and important member" of the management team, Mr. Mertz said, and so he will not be asked to give up that role.