Replacement of most of the Wiscasset Community Center’s roof and some of the pool lights will help the building and help people enjoy and be safe in it, Wiscasset Parks and Recreation staff said.

Tecta America, New England had the winning, $187,900 bid earlier this year, got started on the center’s new roof in mid-August and should be finished in the next couple of weeks, Parks and Recreation Director Todd Souza said Sept. 15. The old roof leaked; plus it was white, so it wasn’t retaining the sun’s warmth like the new black one will, staff have said.

In addition, better insulation will aid climate control in the building, Souza said.

“Just like any maintenance challenges, a leaky roof creates risk to staff and patrons, interrupts programming and increases expenses. This new roof should provide shelter from the elements, improve the facility’s heating (and) cooling efficiency and remove the threat of program interruptions,” Souza said.

The center is also replacing eight of the 25 lights in the pool area with LED lights, and adding two over lane one, Souza said. The changes will help both users and lifeguards see better, including in the deep ends, and will improve the ambiance, Souza said. “It’s going to improve everything.”

Swimming in lane one the morning of Sept. 15, Dorothy Eberhard of Middletown, New Jersey said about the planned new lighting: “Oh, that makes a big difference. The LED is fantastic.”

Efficiency Maine is aiding in the lighting changes, Souza said.