By ANDY GARDNER

MASSENA The planning board unanimously voted to allow the Salvation Army to build a combination church and community center at 178 Victory Road.

The board’s only concern was that the entranceway has some sort of cover or overhanging roof because of the risk of snow and ice sliding down the roof and onto patrons.

“I’m not trying to stall the project – it’s just that I want you to think about it,” board member Brian Taraskas said.

“I think these guys know what they’re doing,” board member Brian Schafer said after looking over the blueprints and speaking with a Salvation Army Capt. Russell Crowsen.

Crowsen said the building alone will cost about $1.1 million.

“Our goal is to groundbreak on [Nov. 19] and that should give us time before the ground freezes,” he said, adding that the entire project should wrap up by late February.

He said they plan a soft opening in March and are looking at holding a formal ribbon-cutting in May.

The finished project will include a chapel, nursery, meeting rooms and classrooms. It will feature a food pantry and full kitchen. They are also tacking on a gymnasium with a half-size court that can be rented for community events.