Self Sustaining Cultural Arts And Senior Center

To the Editor:

Yes, Newtown can have a self-sustaining cultural arts and senior center. While we know Bridgeport Hall is in need of repairs, it continues to be an ideal location for our community activities and for the senior citizens. The restoration monies could come from the bond money earmarked for a new town hall. The new town hall would be deferred and continue to operate at Edmond Town Hall. It is the town’s responsibility to restore Bridgeport Hall and to bring it up to building code. We could look to the community to paint, furnish, and do whatever necessary to make the building attractive and functional. The town hall does not generate revenue…the cultural arts center would.

Once Bridgeport Hall has been refurbished, a rental fee structure would be established similar to Waveny House in New Canaan. Residents and resident organizations would have a lower rental fee than nonresidents and nonresident organizations.

I envision the center could accommodate the senior group, book sale, weddings, art shows, proms, Rotary, Lions Club and Chamber of Commerce activities, home and garden shows, Youth Services, FAITH Food Pantry, space for square dancing and ballroom dancing, conference space…the list goes on and on. I’m sure we all have special interests and/or functions that could be held at Bridgeport Hall. With the proper management and marketing, such as the successful Meeting House Trust, Bridgeport Hall, with rental fees, could be self-sustaining! Our entire community would benefit.

However, the approved selectmen’s Fairfield Hills Master Plan designates Bridgeport Hall as a reuse building for office space, leased and operated by the private sector, which means commercial development. If this were the case, Bridgeport Hall would be leased to an outside entity that would have control. The community might have access to the building but only when available. Certainly, if the town operates the building, we would have control and could designate the building for community use only. This is what I am hearing the people want.

In the near future, you will be asked to vote on the Fairfield Hills Master Plan. I urge you to vote No if the master plan does not designate Bridgeport Hall as a town operated, town controlled cultural arts and senior center.

Linda E. Dunn

26 Old Bethel Road, Newtown                                         May 27, 2003