The former RBC bank building located at 637 King St in Preston will be home to several recreation and culture activities this summer.
“The building at 637 King St. in Preston is planned to be used for recreation and culture youth and children’s programming this July and August,” the city said in an email to CambridgeToday.
“In the evenings it will offer a dedicated youth centre and site to host youth events or Whimsical Wednesdays as a rain location.”
Whimsical Wednesdays is a free public event where the community can gather each week to take part in entertainment, games and crafts during the month of July. It had previously been weather dependent.
The building has sat vacant since RBC consolidated its branches and left the property in 2021. Before leaving the bank had been active for over 25 years.
Its location, adjacent to Central Park, is part of what makes it an ideal fit for programming.
“To support the significant demand in our community, the space will provide an ideal location to increase summer day camps,” the city said.
The one-acre park features open green space, floral displays, the Preston Legion Cenotaph and is a popular meeting place.
In May of last year, it was anticipated that it would cost $1.25 million to buy the property with annual operating costs around $47,000.
City staff said an inspection listed the building in fair-to-good condition despite finding asbestos in the walls.
The asbestos did not require immediate removal but would have to be dealt with in the case of any renovations.
As for what will happen long term, the city says the building will be marketed for lease.
