After months of surveys about a soon-to-be-built community center, the last of numerous public forums, a Saturday afternoon meeting stretching over three-and-a-half hours, several motions and a half-dozen requested amendments, the Newtown Community Center Commission has approved a package of recommendations that will go to the Board of Selectmen, possibly as soon as March 7.

The final commission recommendation will include:

*Development of an aquatic center featuring a 50 meter competition-ready swimming pool, and a separate zero-entry recreation pool;

*A community center facility that is as large as can be completed with the balance of available funds;

*Utilizing both the $10 million building allocation in a GE gift, along with $5 million already approved for community center development in the current Town Capital Improvement Plan (CIP);

*Consideration of utilizing an additional $2.5 million in next year's CIP to underwrite a second phase add-on senior center or ice rink component, if approved, and;

*That "legacy groups" be given dedicated space within the center.

Commission member and 12/14 parent David Wheeler previously told

The Bee that the families of those killed had requested dedicated space where legacy organizations that formed out of the tragedy could offer their information to the public.

The commission's final motion including accepted amendments passed on an 8-2 vote with Commissioner Bill Buchler and John Boccuzzi opposing. Mr Wheeler and Mr Cox had family commitments and had to leave before the final vote, but the remaining commissioners were all in attendance and supported Brian Leidlein's motion.

The commission recommendation to selectmen is somewhat more detailed, but nonetheless similar to one that was poised at the design stage before community members expressed concerns. First Selectman Pat Llodra responded by postponing a referendum authorizing spending of a General Electric gift to create a town community center, and appointing the Community Center panel to gather as much public input as possible before recommending a plan to move forward with development.

Pools Versus Ice

While the panel's original motion offered by Mr Wheeler was voted down after his departure, its inclusion of a two-pool aquatic component as a primary feature carried through to the end.

Most of the commissioners also supported an amendment in an earlier failed motion that "mandated" spending approximately $37,000 so a private firm could conduct a feasibility study on whether to fast-track an ice rink component. That add-on rink would be funded by the extra $2.5 million allocated for community center development in the 2017 CIP.

After the final vote, each remaining commissioner was polled on the top priority elements they wanted to see in the finished plan.

Commissioner Andrew Clure echoed the input of most on the panel supporting the 50m pool as a top consideration. Mr Clure said he "would be thrilled" if the pools could be oriented with at least one wall of windows or doors facing open space to create an open wall effect to the surrounding outdoors.

He also supported the concept of featuring some sort of retail cafe in the building.

Commissioner Sheila Torres supported the 50m pool with the "window wall/door" concept, as well as a zero-entry second pool. She also lobbied for large common areas and multipurpose spaces.

Common Gathering Area

Commissioner Sean Dunn went even further, prioritizing that a central common area be free for all community members, with the possible addition of outside benches, fire pits, and three-season gathering areas. Mr Dunn also would require the town hire an outside director with experience or expertise operating a combined community/aquatic facility.

Mr Leidlein backed the hiring of an experienced facilities director as his top consideration, along with a 50m pool and the development of large indoor and outdoor common areas for community members' use.

Commissioner Bill Buchler added that the facility should include a commercial kitchen, and added his voice supporting a retail or restaurant development. Mr Buchler, who maintained strong support for an ice rink component throughout the meeting, also supported making the initial facility expandable or connectable to other future components like an ice, senior, arts or other facility.

Commissioner Carla Kron introduced the idea of outfitting the facility in the event it needed to be used as an emergency evacuation or disaster shelter. Ms Kron also favored including a commercial kitchen, facilities for mental health or disabled support services, proper acoustic design and equipment for concerts or other cultural uses.

Commissioner Kinga Walsh suggested expanding any site development to include future ice rink planning in order to ensure site work is done "just once." Ms Walsh also supported installation of high end IT, sound and A/V equipment, along with creating at least one soundproof room.

Mr Boccuzzi called for an energy efficient, easy-to-maintain facility with expandability or a direct connection to a 12,000 square foot senior center to be built. Commissioner Nicole Hockley added that the facility must be environmentally friendly, utilizing sustainability features like solar heat and power generation, and rainwater collection.

Frustrating Moments

Preceding the vote, a lengthy and ranging discussion played out among the 12 commissioners, who all appeared to be working hard to try to meet most town constituent requests. At one moment, however, frustration simmered to the point where Mr Buchler found himself apologizing for cursing.

As deliberation moved into offering motions, commissioners twice forwarded a main proposal, suggested amendments, and then opted to vote down the motions with the intent of refining language in subsequent motions even more precisely.

Prior to his departure, Mr Wheeler said it would be important throughout the remaining process of development, that the committee, town officials, and residents work to derail three misunderstandings: that square footage equals program capability and value; and that self sustainability equals profitability.

He said that subscribing to that particular assumption would be "a huge mistake." Then, after taking a moment, Mr Wheeler addressed one resident's earlier suggestion that the community center itself serve as a memorial by planting 26 trees outside the facility to honor those lost on 12/14.

"There is only one constituent - and that is the only one that matters related to (making the center) a memorial," Mr Wheeler said. "I appreciate a desire to turn it into that - but it's not a good idea."

'Big Picture Vision'

On the subject of the GE gift, Ms Walsh told fellow commissioners, "we need to reiterate this gift is a big picture vision, not a box worth $10 million. It's the town that will bring a community center here, not GE."

During discussion, Ms Hockley, also a 12/14 parent, observed that a lot of young in town are not involved in sports. She also took issue over a suggestion that there was not enough opportunity provided for parents to weigh in on desired community center features.

Ms Hockley said she believed parents had ample opportunities to complete surveys and even provide input on behalf of their own kids. And she added that the town would be "doing a massive disservice to older kids," by not providing a place they could go at the center where they could get support or information if they are facing health or social concerns.

As he prepared to leave earlier on in the discussion - coincidentally to drive to his child's hockey game - Mr Cox said he would support an option including a pool and community center facility of some usable size. But he also asserted his support for a feasibility study.

"That would be valuable information, and third-party validation of the work we've done so far," he said.

Mr Cox also requested the commission and town not preclude the option of staging in the event possible future donors wanted to cover the cost of add-ons.

"I'd prefer an ice rink over a pool," he said, "but I think I'm in the minority."